Blog
Radiance in Liuli, Dreams of Mountains and Sea — Zibo Liuli Art Special Exhibition
From now through August 21, the Qingdao Museum presents a special exhibition dedicated to Zibo Liuli, a traditional Chinese glass art shaped by fire, color, and centuries of craftsmanship.
This exhibition brings together treasured Liuli pieces from different periods, including collections from Zibo and the Qingdao Museum, alongside works by contemporary Liuli masters from Zibo. Through a dialogue between thousand-year-old Liuli artistry and Qingdao’s coastal spirit of mountains and sea, the exhibition offers visitors a vivid journey through more than two thousand years of Eastern glass aesthetics.
Liuli is often described as “sculpture born from fire.” In Chinese craft tradition, it represents the harmony of material, heat, skill, and artistic vision. As one of the most important birthplaces of Chinese Liuli, Zibo has carried this craft forward since ancient times, becoming known for its distinctive techniques and rare colored materials.
The exhibition traces the development of Zibo Liuli, from ancient craftsmanship to contemporary innovation. Highlights include Warring States “dragonfly-eye” Liuli beads, Yuan dynasty jewelry, Qing dynasty thumb rings, snuff bottles, and other precious historical pieces. Rare traditional colors such as warm yellow, deep red, gold-red, and turquoise green are also presented, revealing the richness and depth of Chinese Liuli artistry.
The exhibition also features major works by contemporary Liuli artists. Among them is the striking Butterfly and Spirit Serpent Crown, along with the celebrated Twelve Flower Goddesses series, which captures the elegance of classical Chinese floral imagery. Another highlight, the Dunhuang-inspired Liuli Cloud Shoulder, is being shown to the public for the first time, blending the visual language of Dunhuang art with the luminous beauty of Liuli craftsmanship.
Created especially for this Qingdao exhibition, a group of young contemporary artists also presents Liuli floral crowns inspired by the city’s ocean theme. These works connect the glow of ancient Liuli with Qingdao’s coastal atmosphere, creating a fresh conversation between tradition and place.
The exhibition also includes creative installations such as thousands of Liuli butterflies and a Liuli kaleidoscope, giving this ancient craft a new sense of movement, imagination, and life. Through these works, traditional Liuli steps beyond the past and enters a more contemporary, expressive world.
