As French President Emmanuel Macron wraps up his fourth state visit to China this week, we spotlight a creative soul embodying six decades of Franco-Chinese cultural ties. Meet Quentin Foucque – the Marseille-born artist who’s called Shanghai home for 15 years. 🌆
Born in 1987 when his hometown and Shanghai became sister cities, Foucque’s destiny seemed written in neon. After a transformative two-week trip in 2010, he swapped Provençal landscapes for the Huangpu River’s glittering skyline. "Shanghai feels like a living canvas," he tells us. "Every alleyway hums with stories waiting to be painted."
His vibrant murals now blend Mediterranean blues with Jiangnan watertown motifs – a visual handshake between cultures. This year alone, three of his installations debuted in Pudong’s avant-garde art spaces. 🖼️
When Macron Meets Modern Art
With France-China relations celebrating 61 years, Foucque’s journey mirrors growing people-to-people exchanges. Over 4,000 French nationals currently live in Shanghai, contributing to what locals call "the Paris of the East."
As Macron’s delegation discussed green tech and AI cooperation this week, cultural ambassadors like Foucque remind us that diplomacy isn’t just about boardrooms – it’s painted on city walls and brewed in café conversations. ☕️
