Paris, September 2025 – Art and humanity came together in a landmark cultural moment when Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, the renowned humanitarian-artist and founder of the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery, presented his latest exhibition, The Vicissitudes of Life, at the historic Hôtel de l’Industrie in Paris.
Held from 10 to 13 September 2025, the exhibition not only showcased 25 original works but also marked the launch of the inaugural Lin Xiang Xiong Art for Peace Prize.
Supported by leading French institutions and global cultural figures, the event reinforced Lin’s lifelong mission to promote peace, intercultural understanding, and moral reflection through the transformative power of art.
A Global Celebration of Art and Peace
The exhibition enjoyed strong backing, with former French President François Hollande serving as Honorary Patron and former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin attending the opening in person. Their presence highlighted the importance of art in fostering international dialogue.
Professor Lin’s artworks, organized around three central themes — anti-war, anti-poverty, and anti-pollution — embodied his philosophy of “Art for Peace.”
Beyond aesthetics, his brushstrokes called audiences to reflect on the urgent issues of our time, reminding us that art can awaken conscience and transcend cultural boundaries.
In Professor Lin’s own words,
“Every brushstroke is a testimony of time, a silent dialogue between past and present, pain and healing. Whether through the exhibition or the establishment of the Peace Prize, I hope art is not merely for admiration but can truly touch hearts.”
Academic Symposium: Intercultural Dialogue at the Crossroads
Alongside the exhibition, a high-level academic symposium was held under the themes “Intercultural Dialogue at the Crossroads” and “Rebuilding the Concept of Peace through Art.”
Distinguished thinkers including Marek Halter, French human rights activist; François Jullien, eminent philosopher and sinologist; and Barbara Polla, Swiss curator and sociologist, joined other cultural leaders in profound discussions.
The symposium emphasized how art could serve as a bridge between cultures, fostering empathy, compassion, and understanding in an increasingly divided world. Professor Lin’s insights resonated deeply, highlighting his unique role as both an artist and a humanitarian voice.
The Inaugural Lin Xiang Xiong Art for Peace Prize
On 12 September, the first-ever Art for Peace Prize was awarded, drawing an astonishing 1,883 entries from 100 countries. The overwhelming response reflected the universal recognition of Lin’s vision and the global appetite for artistic expressions of peace.
Announcing the award as a biennial initiative, Professor Lin emphasized that the prize would serve as a platform for artists worldwide to unite their voices for humanity’s future. It represents not only recognition but also a rallying call for artists to step forward as peacemakers.
The Opening of Penang’s Landmark Art Gallery
This Paris exhibition also set the stage for the opening of the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery in Penang, scheduled for December 2025. Spanning 8,000 square meters, the gallery will be one of Southeast Asia’s largest private art institutions.
Housing Professor Lin’s major works while also providing space for emerging artists, the gallery aims to elevate Malaysia’s role as a hub of cultural diplomacy and intercultural dialogue.
With this, Professor Lin is building a legacy that bridges East and West while empowering new generations of creatives.
Art as a Messenger of Thought and Conscience
Throughout his career, Professor Lin has consistently championed the soft power of culture as a vehicle for peace. From his 2016 UNESCO exhibition “Art for Peace – Cultural Dialogue between East and West” to his latest endeavors, Lin has called on artists to rise above borders and ideologies, uniting their creativity in service of humanity.
His artistic style — blending abstraction, traditional methods, and contemporary social commentary — confronts pressing global challenges like climate change, war, forced migration, and inequality. In Paris, this vision once again took center stage, inspiring reflection and action.
By creating both powerful works and global platforms for dialogue, Professor Lin demonstrates how art can move beyond the gallery to become a force for moral awakening and collective responsibility.
A Lasting Legacy
As Professor Lin Xiang Xiong continues to paint, write, and inspire, his legacy extends far beyond the canvas. His belief that art is a universal language of conscience underscores every initiative he leads.
From Paris to Penang, his call is clear: art must serve humanity. It must awaken hearts, encourage reflection, and unite cultures against war, poverty, and pollution.
Through The Vicissitudes of Life and the Art for Peace Prize, Professor Lin reaffirms that creativity, when guided by conscience, holds the power to change the world.
Keywords :
- Professor Lin Xiang Xiong exhibition
- Art for Peace Prize Paris
- The Vicissitudes of Life Paris
- Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery Penang
- intercultural dialogue through art
- art for peace and humanity
