'Harmony Across Eras' exhibition opens in Beijing

The Embassy of Finland in Beijing and Guardian Art Center are pleased to announce the opening of the 'Harmony Across Eras: Treasures from the Collection of the First Ambassador of Finland to China' exhibition. The exhibition will be open to the public from 7 June to 27 June 2024 at the Guardian Art Center, No. 1 Wangfujing Street, Beijing. Admission is free.

The opening ceremony was held at the Guardian Art Center in Beijing on 6 June 2024. Ms. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland, and Mr. Kou Qin, General Manager of Guardian Art Center, attended the ceremony and gave the opening remarks.

Finland and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations in 1950. Mr. Cay Sundström, the first Ambassador of Finland to China, assembled a large collection of ancient Chinese artifacts during his time in Beijing from 1953 to 1959.

'Harmony Across Eras' comprises over 100 pieces from the collection of Mr. Cay Sundström, presented alongside iconic Finnish design classics, and a light installation by the Finnish artist Teemu Määttänen. The exhibition not only celebrates the beauty of these artifacts but also highlights the role of arts in diplomacy. As diplomats straddle two cultures, so does this exhibition, offering insight into the fluidity of aesthetic sensibilities across time and cultures.

The exhibition is organized by the Embassy of Finland in Beijing and the Guardian Art Center, one of China's leading art institutions and auction houses, renowned for exhibiting some of the finest classical Chinese and international artworks. The exhibition was curated and produced by BD Technology and Culture (Beijing) Co. Ltd., a company that focuses on producing cross-cultural exchange projects. The exhibition space was designed by IARA Architects.

All exhibits were selected and appraised by experts from China Guardian International Auctions Co., Ltd. The exhibition’s corporate partners include Nokia, Valmet, Juneyao Airlines, Wikkelä, Genelec, Honor, PES Architects, Stey Hotels, and Tikkurila.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Timo Sysiö,  Counsellor, Embassy of Finland in Beijing, [email protected]
Sarah Zhang, Coordinator, Embassy of Finland in Beijing, [email protected]