As the calendar turns and the steed neighs in the wind, marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse, Double Happiness Group has curated a thematic painting exhibition titled "Double Joy Welcoming Spring, Full Horsepower" at the Mali Art Museum (No. 3300 West Yan'an Road). This exhibition, deeply rooted in themes of inheritance, mentorship, and the future, is thoughtfully divided into three distinct sections. The "Realm of Masters" section showcases treasured masterpieces by renowned artists, using brush and ink to interpret the continuation of artistic heritage. "Guidance of Mentors" brings together exemplary works by outstanding instructors, reflecting their dedication and the transmission of knowledge on the path of aesthetic education. Meanwhile, "Youthful Imagination" presents over a hundred works brimming with childlike innocence and creativity, with each stroke representing a young person's unique expression of the world.
Leveraging the Lunar Year of the Horse as its theme, this event deeply integrates the group's associated time-honored brands. Through diverse formats such as the thematic exhibition, an art market, and interactive workshops, it has created a cultural activity that bridges the classic and the future, blending art with daily life, vividly illustrating the mission and responsibility of state-owned cultural enterprises in the new era. Upon entering the exhibition, visitors encounter treasured works by masters like Zhang Yuguang, Xie Zhiliu, and Han Meilin from the group's collection, demonstrating profound aesthetic depth. The "Guidance of Mentors" section spans various mediums including traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, watercolor, and mixed media, showcasing rich pedagogical creativity and aesthetic guidance. In the "Youthful Imagination" segment, children have created lively and imaginative horse-themed artworks using diverse media. This curatorial logic of "passing on, helping, and guiding" outlines a complete ecosystem for artistic life, from the transmission of the torch to perpetual vitality.
This carnival represents a significant initiative by Double Happiness Group to promote brand rejuvenation and foster resource integration. It aims to build an innovative platform connecting with the public, particularly younger demographics, through diverse artistic expressions and cultural interactions. The event was hosted by Shanghai Double Happiness (Group) Co., Ltd. and the Shanghai Office for the Graded Examination in Fine Arts, and co-organized by Shanghai Stationery & Sporting Goods Co., Ltd., Shanghai Mali Art Materials Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Guoyun Double Happiness Culture Co., Ltd.
Shi Xinyi, Party Committee Secretary and Chairman of Double Happiness Group, elaborated on the brand's philosophy of "innovation within inheritance" during his speech. He emphasized that the Mali brand, founded in 1919, has always been guided by the spirit of "immediate success and benefiting the nation and its people," which remains the core driving force for the enterprise. The opening ceremony featured the launch of cultural and creative products, new Mali children's picture books, and a donation of artworks by artists.
Showcasing a new image for a time-honored brand, the Double Happiness Group Innovation R&D Center launched the "Little Elephant Xi Xi" themed merchandise series. The "Children's Healthy Growth Kit," developed in collaboration with the Health Management Center of Shanghai Children's Hospital, was particularly well-received. A plush toy named "Mafufu," a special Year of the Horse collaboration between the group's toy company and Mali Co., Ltd., embodies the dual auspicious meanings of "fortune arriving" and "abundance." In literature, following the first installment of the "Double Happiness Group Children's Picture Book Series," *A Wonderful Journey to the Piano Kingdom*, co-produced with China Welfare Institute Publishing House, the second book, *The Incredible Colors*, was officially released. Lü Mingxia, Deputy General Manager of Double Happiness Group, shared the creative intention of nurturing children's minds with high-quality content from the perspectives of aesthetic education and popular science, and unveiled the new book alongside Qu Dushi, President of China Welfare Institute Publishing House.
On site, Ji Ping, a painter from the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy and specially appointed professor at East China Normal University, along with Cao Jingen, a district-level inheritor of Jinshan Farmer Paintings, donated their personally created paintings, made specifically for this Year of the Horse exhibition, to Dong Ji, Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager of Double Happiness Group.
Beyond the static exhibition, the three-day "Good Market Happenings · New Year Market" was also bustling with activity, becoming a popular destination for citizens celebrating the new year. The market deeply integrated products from the group's brands and partners, offering numerous interactive experiences. The Mali brand set up a fun DIY painting experience that attracted many families. The Double Happiness brand brought a mobile phone table tennis experience featuring spray-painted ping pong tables. The Strauss brand presented a graffiti piano and Mukey Meow奇 Cat文创 products. The group's toy company displayed its collection of Year of the Horse themed metal toys.
It is reported that the thematic painting exhibition will run until February 12, 2026 (open from 10:00 to 16:00, closed on Mondays). Concurrently, multiple art workshops will be held, offering artistic cultural options for residents during the New Year's Day and Spring Festival holidays.
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