A painting from the Little Universe oil painting series by Wang Xixi. [Photo provided by Wang Xixi]

At a cafe in Tuscany, Italy, zodiac-inspired drawings on sugar packets sparked curiosity among local customers about Chinese culture. These works are by Wang Xixi in her 30s, an artist from Taizhou, Zhejiang province, who has lived and worked between China and Italy in recent years.

Wang studied at the China Academy of Art and later earned a master's degree at Politecnico di Milano, where she settled with her family. Her career spans painting, design, and art products, often blending Eastern and Western elements. She views art as a universal language that connects emotions across cultures.

Since 2013, Wang has focused on surrealist approaches that merge Chinese symbols with Italian imagery. Her Xiao Yu Zhou (Little Universe) oil painting series places European architecture and landscapes on traditional Chinese porcelain, creating a playful cultural dialogue. Works featuring dragons and auspicious clouds have been collected by Italian cafes, where they have become topics of discussion.

Inspired by Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, Wang also shares Italian art with Chinese audiences through her social media account, attracting nearly 10,000 followers. She has joined Italian art associations, participated in exhibitions, and hopes to create festival-themed works for Chinese holidays abroad.

Marking the 55th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic relations in 2025, Wang says her art reflects not only personal expression but also cultural exchange, serving as a bridge between East and West.