With reference to a variety of new year prints, including door guardians, talismans, “paper horse” deity prints, and nineteenth century prints with political messages, from the speaker’s collection, this public talk will examine the hidden meanings, social commentary, history and folklore behind each print, how and where they were collected, and the challenges faced by the remaining printing centres and craftsmen.

David Leffman first visited China in 1985 and has been back and forth ever since as a freelance travel writer and photographer. He bought his first Chinese woodblock prints in the 1990s, and has since collected hundreds more. He enjoys investigating why the prints were made to gain insights into the broader aspects of traditional Chinese culture – its religion, history, literature, and folklore.

Conducted in English. The talk will be conducted online. Interested participants click here to join the session.