Over the last 15-20 years, Western-style quiltmaking has begun to flourish in mainland China. The upcoming IQM exhibition, “Chinese Quilts Today,” will feature 20 contemporary Chinese quilts ranging from traditional American quilt patterns to distinctly Chinese-themed compositions. The wide range of techniques, materials, and imagery in the exhibition pieces attests to the creativity of Chinese quiltmakers as they adopt, embrace and enhance this global art form.

In "The Bustling Port," student Yao Wenrong and professor Pang Donghua depict a slice of modern life. China is the world’s largest exporter and the city of Ningbo is the third largest container port in the world. A patchwork snapshot of this port reveals just a tiny fraction of the vast number of shipping containers sitting on its docks at any one time.

---

The Bustling Port

Yao Wenrong and Pang Donghua

Made in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China

Cotton; Machine appliquéd and quilted, fused

IQM 2025.013.0001