As an important project of the 26th Shenzhen Reading Month Shenzhen Hong Kong "Reading Together in Two Cities" series of activities, the "Lei Guiyuan Design Literature Exhibition" officially opened on November 8th at the Hong Kong Central Library. This exhibition is jointly organized by the Shenzhen Reading Month Organizing Committee and the Shenzhen Guanshan Yue Art Museum, aiming to systematically present the academic ideas, educational contributions, and artistic achievements of Mr. Lei Guiyuan, the founder of modern design education in China and a pioneer in modern arts and design practice. With art as a bridge, it promotes cultural dialogue and ideological resonance between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Mr. Lei Guiyuan is a milestone figure in the history of modern Chinese design. He was not only the main creator of the Sichuan Provincial Art College, which was established as an independent institution of design during the Republic of China period, and the first higher education institution for design in New China - the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts. In his 62 year teaching career, he adhered to the academic belief of "from ancient times to the present, from China to the world, I am the main one", and constructed the theoretical system of modern Chinese pattern studies, pointing out the direction for the exploration of "nationalization" and "modernization" of Chinese design. He humbly referred to himself as the 'teacher', but with his lifelong practice of integrating knowledge and action, he left behind a precious intellectual legacy.

With the joint efforts of the academic team led by Guo Qiuhui from the School of Fine Arts at Tsinghua University and the curatorial team from the Guanshanyue Art Museum in Shenzhen, the "Salute to Design - Lei Guiyuan Design Literature Exhibition" was successfully held in May 2025 at the Guanshanyue Art Museum in Shenzhen. Now the exhibition has been specially relocated to Hong Kong, deepening its content and innovating its form around the theme of "Reading Together in Two Cities". The exhibition gathers 17 classic works by Mr. Lei Guiyuan, as well as replicas of more than 150 precious documents such as manuscripts, design works, paintings, and teaching archives. Through the "readability" exhibition design, it guides the audience to deeply "read" the creative process and academic ideas of this master.

The exhibition is divided into two main sections: "The Eternal 'Teacher'". With Mr. Lei Guiyuan's five important universities as the main line, it outlines the evolution and practical exploration of his educational philosophy, vividly demonstrating how he integrates the needs of the times, international perspectives, and localization, and creates an innovative path for Chinese design education. The second section, "Artists Without Borders," focuses on their practical achievements across multiple fields such as pattern design, arts and crafts, and painting, presenting their artistic exploration that integrates Chinese and Western elements and connects ancient and modern times, breaking the boundaries between art and design and achieving modern expression of traditional vocabulary.

The exhibition design takes the "Tree of Knowledge" as the core visual symbol, symbolizing Mr. Lei Guiyuan's pattern learning system that integrates "research, teaching, and practice" based on pattern research and pattern education, with lush branches and abundant achievements. Environmentally friendly corrugated paper exhibition boards and modular display racks are used on site to create a simple and immersive exhibition atmosphere. A television and digital screen are also set up to showcase the documentary film of Lei Guiyuan, shot by the Academy of Fine Arts at Tsinghua University in the 1990s, as well as the research ideas, mind maps, and word cloud analysis of his eight works, helping the audience to deeply understand Mr. Lei Guiyuan's artistic life and theoretical context.

In order to deepen the public education function of the exhibition, the "Bay Area Seed Plan - Guan Shanyue Art Museum Supports the Coexistence of Art Education in Greater Bay Area Universities" will be launched at the same time. Two curator guided tours and themed workshops will be held on the afternoons of November 8th and 15th. The workshop "Game of Patterns - Stereoscopic Book Production" will guide young students to learn traditional pattern rules such as "Tai Chi Shape" and "Happy Meeting" summarized by Mr. Lei Guiyuan, draw inspiration from nature, and use printmaking techniques to create three-dimensional handmade books that can be opened and closed; The pattern in the heart - making bookplates "guides participants to combine traditional pattern aesthetics with personal emotions, and design and make exclusive bookplates for their beloved books. These two activities aim to transform Mr. Lei Guiyuan's academic ideas into creative practices that can be perceived and participated in by the contemporary public, especially young students.

There is also a "Twin City Book Fair" section at the exhibition site, which gathers excellent design publications from both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, further interpreting the concept of "co reading" - not only reading books, but also reading cities, reading culture, and reading times.

As a core project of the "Shenzhen Hong Kong Dual Cities" program, this exhibition not only pays tribute to Mr. Lei Guiyuan's outstanding contributions to modern design education and arts and crafts in China, but also represents a return and reflection on the origin of design education. In today's era of globalization and digitization, Mr. Lei Guiyuan's cultural confidence of "putting myself first in both ancient and modern times, at home and abroad", as well as his practical wisdom of integrating Chinese and Western cultures and connecting ancient and modern, has provided profound inspiration for the cooperation and development of design education and cultural creativity between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and even the entire Greater Bay Area today. Through this cross time and space "co reading", the two cities listen to the wisdom of history together, explore the source of cultural identity and innovative vitality, think about how to cultivate creators who are deeply rooted in tradition and oriented towards the future, seek wisdom and strength that can be used for reference for the present, and stimulate cultural innovation vitality oriented towards the future.

We sincerely invite people from all walks of life in Hong Kong, especially designers, educators, and young students, to enter the exhibition hall and read this "great book" written by manuscripts, works, and works together. While reviewing the magnificent history of modern Chinese design, we also reflect on the infinite possibilities of design for the future, and work together to write a new chapter of cultural integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.