David Leffman: Popular Chinese Woodblock Prints: Folk Art, Gods and Propaganda

Chinese woodblock prints were once made in their millions, but now the art is dying out. Using about 40 prints from his collection, David Leffman presents some of the different types: bright and cheerful new year prints, fierce door guardians and talismans, “paper horse” deity prints, and action-packed nineteenth-century propaganda. The talk investigates the hidden meanings, social commentary, history and folklore behind each print, how and where they were made, and the challenges faced by the remaining printing centres and craftsmen.