In the 1980s, four cities — Shenzhen, Shantou and Zhuhai in Guangdong province, and Xiamen — and Hainan province were designated as Special Economic Zones.
Through paintings, watercolors, sculptures and lacquer works, the exhibition vividly charts the transformation of Xiamen into a modern, international metropolis. The lacquer works are particularly rooted in local tradition as Fujian is a major producer of raw lacquer and has a long tradition of using the material in arts and crafts.