The exhibition's location carries historical significance. In 1931, Chinese literary giant Lu Xun (1881-1936) organized a summer woodcut workshop in Hongkou district, promoting the art form to the Chinese youth.

"Hosting this China-Italy printmaking dialogue in Hongkou, where Lu Xun sparked China's modern printmaking renaissance, pays tribute to history while embodying the district's commitment to openness," said Yin Fu, the exhibition's chief curator.

Li Lei, vice chairman of the Shanghai Artists Association and director of the Shanghai Haipai Art Museum, emphasized that both nations share a history of cultural openness and mutual learning. "Using art as a bridge reinforces our belief that cultural and artistic exchanges can promote deeper human connections," he said.

Paolo Laudisa from the Rome Academy of Fine Arts, who contributed a lithograph monotype with charcoal, noted that the exhibition creates "a unique language of art magic" between Italian and Chinese artists.