Short Description
Between November 1st, 2025 and February 28, 2026,the 2025 Shanghai International Paper Art Biennale, titled “PAPER & WATER”, will be held in the coastal city of Shanghai, China, a city between history and tradition, modernity and high tech — a city surrounded by a river on all sides, with trade links in the south of the Yangtze River and the East China Ocean.
Shanghai International Paper Art Biennale has been held in Fengxian District of Shanghai for the past nine years. The year 2025 will usher in the “Ten years of progress, ten years of spring and autumn” international Paper Art exhibition. In this regard, IAPMA Congress 2025 is intended to be held concurrently in Shanghai, China 2025,We welcome everyone to actively participate and witness this glorious moment together with the organizers of the biennale.
The exhibition will be juried by the Organizing Committee, consisting of officials from Shanghai Fengxian Museum and the Shanghai International Paper Art Biennale’s Organizing team.
The submitted artworks can be two- or three- dimensional paper artworks. All paper-related techniques are accepted such as casting, folding, paper maché, pulp painting, encaustic, etc. All kinds of paper artworks are accepted, including book art, paper collage, paper fashion, paper jewelry, paper installations and more. Artists can submit up to 3 artworks.
Theme:
“Paper & Water”
Water covers more than 70% of the earth’s surface and is the basis of our existence. In traditional Chinese philosophy, water represents the cycle of life as one of the five elements. With its powerful Yin energy, the element of water symbolizes purity, transformation, clarity and calm. Water symbolizes fertile life and longevity. Like flowing water, all living on this planet begins in constant motion, leading to constant change and renewal.
Water is a fundamental element in nature, but also for hand papermaking and for creating works of art. The flow of water is invisible and it is important in the production and creation of handmade paper. It washes, soaks, decomposes and fuses paper fiber, raw material and allows artists to maintain the variability of their works in the creation of handmade paper and paper art, thus creating a variety of possibilities for paper art. The theme of 2025 Shanghai Paper Art Biennale is “PAPER & WATER” which has both aistorical and humanistic meaning and reflects the local nature of contemporary art creation.
Eligibility
The submitted artworks can be two- or three-dimensional paper artworks. All paper-related techniques are accepted such as casting, folding, papier maché, pulp painting, encaustic, etc. All kinds of paper artworks are accepted, e.g., Book Art, paper collage, paper fashion, paper jewelry, paper installation and more. Please avoid political, religious and anti-Chinese content. Artists can submit up to 3 artworks.
- Please avoid political, religious and anti-Chinese content as well as local language
content in each country. If there are textual expressions other than English in the work,
please provide an explanation and creative concept of their meaning in English in the
submission form.
Submission Requirements
Fill the entry form (template provided) — the title, dimensions, medium, description, and intent of your work. We also accept beautiful small works while welcome large paper art installations
At least 3 digital pictures of your work – 600-800 dpi in .jpg or .tif format
CV in Chinese and English – brief, A4 size in .doc format. The information is important for the catalog and web presentation, but will not affect the selection process.
Personal potrait photo – 400*600 dpi in .jpg format
Label your images: Surname_Artwork title_Number listed on Entry Form
How to Apply
Application documents should be sent to Anson Ou at:
ansonou@feastsonpaper.com
racheljin@feastsonpaper.com
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected works will be subsequently exhibited and sold at the annual charity fair organized by an art foundation.
Participants will receive a catalog of the exhibition and a certificate awarded by the Culture and Shanghai Fengxian Museum.
Artists and their works will enjoy extensive exposure by renowned media.
Artists may be invited to give talks at colleges, or be engaged as an art adviser by the local government.
Selected works will be housed by local museums in Fengxian District or museums of paper art.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Shanghai, China
Timeline
- Priority submission deadline: August 15, 2025
- Regular submission deadline：September 3, 2025
- Please note: The number of selected artworks is limited!
Website Link: https://www.paperartbiennale.org.cn/
