Guardian Intl Print Fair draws global artists for second edition

Visitors view exhibits at the Guardian International Print Fair at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, June 16, 2026. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

The second Guardian International Print Fair ran at the Guardian Art Center in Beijing from June 13 to 21, bringing together 52 printmaking institutions and galleries from eight countries including China, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany and Japan.

The exhibition ranges from masterpieces by classical greats such as Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt and Hokusai to landmark works by modern masters including Francis Bacon, Zao Wou-Ki and Sanyu.

Techniques on show include lithography, woodcut, screen printing, etching and digital print, demonstrating the expressive power of printmaking across cultures and centuries.

A dedicated art market was also launched during the event, providing a platform for print institutions, avant-garde studios and emerging artists to showcase their work.

The market presented a wide spectrum of pieces, ranging from traditional woodcuts and etchings to screen prints, illustrating the breadth of the medium. Directors of art institutions and resident artists were on hand to share stories behind their works with visitors.

Kou Qin, general manager of the Guardian Art Center, said the fair expanded its roster of participating institutions and countries while refining its exhibition layouts, visitor flow and the integration of exhibition zones and the art market.

The fair also featured printmaking workshops, academic forums and thematic lectures, bringing together international and domestic specialists and scholars to discuss printmaking's creative ecosystem, art communication and global development.

Organizers said the event served as an international platform for exchanges and collaboration between overseas and Chinese institutions, artists, academics and art audiences.