Recently, at the invitation and with the support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in China, a delegation of faculty and students from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) visited the UAE to carry out a program of on-site sketching, field research, and artistic exchange. This initiative was conducted within the framework of the Belt and Road cultural exchange mechanism and represents an important component of CAFA’s ongoing efforts to promote China–UAE youth art exchange programs.

The delegation was jointly led by Professor Xia Libin, Deputy Party Secretary of the Department of Oil Painting, and Zheng Yuyao, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange. Participating students came from a range of departments, including Oil Painting, Chinese Painting, Sculpture, Mural Painting, and Urban Design, covering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. All were award-winning student representatives from the “Youth Artists Creation and Research Competition Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the UAE and China.”

During their stay in the UAE, the delegation engaged in a diverse and multi-layered program encompassing on-site sketching, cultural exploration, and institutional exchanges. The group visited Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, touring museums, art institutions, historical and cultural sites, and urban public spaces. Drawing upon the distinct natural environments and cultural contexts of each city, students carried out on-site sketching and observational documentation. The rich diversity of urban landscapes and cultural spaces provided concrete and abundant material for artistic creation.

As part of the exchange activities, the delegation held multiple discussions with local art institutions and universities. CAFA faculty and students engaged in in-depth dialogues with young Emirati artists on creative practices and learning experiences. At the College of Fine Arts and Design of the University of Sharjah and the College of Arts of Zayed University, CAFA representatives met with institutional leaders to exchange views on the development of art education and explore future cooperation. Preliminary discussions were held regarding potential collaborations in areas such as faculty and student exchanges and short-term academic programs. These interactions laid a solid foundation for sustained and practical cooperation in art education under the Belt and Road cultural exchange framework.

This UAE field study and sketching program effectively integrated professional teaching, overseas practice, and international exchange, offering students valuable opportunities to engage in artistic learning and creation within diverse cultural contexts. It also further expanded CAFA’s international exchange channels in the Middle East. Through first-hand observation and artistic practice, students deepened their understanding of multicultural environments and urban contexts, enriching their artistic experience and broadening their creative perspectives.

Learning Reflections

Zhang Dingyou:
The culture and art of the UAE are like resilient flowers blooming in the desert—nurtured into a unique and vibrant character within an environment that appears harsh at first glance. During this field study, we visited futuristic Dubai, historically rich Sharjah, energetic Ajman, and the serene and pleasant Ras Al Khaimah, while also experiencing the splendor and distinctiveness of the capital, Abu Dhabi. Our exchanges with local students and artists along the way were deeply moving. Their pride in and commitment to their cultural roots, combined with an open and forward-looking pursuit of innovation, revealed a sense of composure and confidence. This experience broadened my understanding of the UAE and prompted me to reflect on how, in my own artistic practice, I can remain grounded in tradition while engaging with the future—especially how to achieve authentic, principled innovation in the context of globalization.

Leng Wen:
Throughout this journey to the UAE, on-site research, sketching, and exchanges naturally integrated my visual experiences with cultural understanding. By visiting historic districts, museums, and contemporary art institutions, I was able to experience the region’s distinctive artistic atmosphere and modes of cultural expression. Conversations with artists and faculty and students from local art schools offered new insights into creative practice and educational models. This sketching trip was not only a process of artistic creation, but also an opportunity to find balance among experience, observation, and learning, fostering a reflective approach to deeply exploring cultural logic.

Li Peihao:
Being able to travel to the UAE for study and research was an exceptionally valuable experience. Our journey through Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi left me with the strongest impression of “contrast.” The modern cityscapes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are awe-inspiring, with skylines shaped by glass façades that spark the imagination, while the old markets of Sharjah and the tranquil coastline of Ajman preserve a more authentic and unadorned way of life. This striking contrast allowed me to see, in a very direct way, how a place can simultaneously embrace both the future and the past. What moved me even more were the interactions with local people. In museums, art studios, and even in marketplaces, a smile and a simple curiosity about each other’s cultures were enough to build bridges of understanding, even without extensive language. When exchanging with students from Emirati art institutions, seeing their artworks and hearing their stories, I felt that despite our different backgrounds, we share many common sensibilities toward beauty and life. This journey opened a window for me to see a diverse and multifaceted UAE. As a student, being able to observe with my own eyes and experience firsthand is the best form of learning. I will carry what I have seen and felt back with me, continuing my reflection and artistic practice. This journey has yielded far more than I ever imagined.

Nad:
The ten-day study tour in the UAE was immensely rewarding. Together with my teachers and classmates, we visited five emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, experiencing both the modern urban landscape and the vast grandeur of the desert, as well as the region’s rich cultural heritage. The encounter of diverse cultures sparked many new reflections, broadening my horizons and deepening my understanding of regional development and cultural inclusiveness. Everything I saw and experienced during this journey became a source of nourishment. In the future, I will carry this inspiration and passion forward, integrating these insights into my artistic practice and striving to create even better works.

Chen Gelin:
On January 12, we arrived in Dubai, where futuristic skyscrapers, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Khalifa together formed a fantastical skyline. We then traveled to Al Marmoom, where the setting sun bathed the boundless desert in golden light, creating a scene of silent grandeur. At the University of Sharjah, we explored architectural aesthetics and engaged in academic exchanges with faculty and students. At Zayed University, we visited student exhibitions and strolled through the galleries, where paintings, images, and designs narrated personal stories. Arabesque patterns intertwined with contemporary concepts, and traditional craftsmanship met innovative thinking—each artwork became a microcosm of cultural convergence. Young people of diverse backgrounds engaged in dialogue through art, presenting a world that is pluralistic and harmonious. This journey proved profoundly enriching. From architectural structures to woven textures, multicultural influences became a wellspring of inspiration. Through absorption and integration, I will continue to explore new dimensions of artistic expression, allowing different traditions to resonate within my creative practice. Although the journey has ended, the experiences and reflections are deeply imprinted in my mind, propelling my skills and thinking toward ever richer horizons.

Liu Zehong:
Motivated by receiving an award in the Creative Research Exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE, I embarked on this journey across Emirati lands, gaining profound insights and inspiration from its customs, people, and cultural narratives. In Dubai, towering skyscrapers coexist harmoniously with traditional souks, where modern prosperity and historical depth flourish side by side. Abu Dhabi offered a deeply moving encounter with history and culture: the Natural History Museum displays the evolution of the universe and life, while the grandeur of the Presidential Palace embodies the stature of a great nation. Sharjah, known as the “Cultural Capital,” revealed a unique charm born from the collision of traditional arts and contemporary creativity. Ras Al Khaimah’s vast desert landscapes delivered a soul-stirring magnificence, where terracotta-colored dunes surged in the wind, carrying a sense of primal vitality. This journey was both a cross-cultural dialogue and a vital accumulation of nourishment for artistic creation. These multicultural experiences will ultimately transform into new expressive, gradually unfolding in my future works.

Sun Dailin:
The UAE’s clean and well-organized public facilities and its strong sense of modernity left a deep impression on me. Even more touching were the small ceramic cups designed to support people with disabilities, which revealed the warmth and care embedded in the details of this society. During exchanges with local university students, their creative concepts—integrating indigenous cultural symbols, social issues, and personal expression—deeply inspired me. This vivid artistic vitality and humanistic concern proved profoundly enriching.

Zhang Yiying:
This sketching and field study trip to the UAE was both highly rewarding and unforgettable. Traveling between deserts and modern cities, we explored the distinctive cultural landscapes of different emirates. The diverse scenery and rich humanistic heritage provided vivid material for sketching and expanded my creative perspectives, deepening my understanding of regional culture and artistic expression. Through exchanges with faculty and students at local art institutions, we shared artistic insights and creative experiences, genuinely feeling our mutual sincerity and passion for art. Throughout the journey, I also refined my skills under the guidance of my teachers and through collaboration with my peers, broadening my horizons. I am deeply grateful for this valuable opportunity, and this experience will continue to inspire me to move forward and explore further.