We have been working hard to prepare the exhibition of Clarence Bicknell’s botanical water-colours at Le Venezie Watercolor Festival, at the historical medieval City Palace Palazzo dei Trecento in Treviso, Italy, 17 October – 1 November 2026. Let’s find out about the man behind the event, Giandomenico Padovan.
Giandomenico Padovan is a leading figure in cultural exchanges and initiatives between China, Europe and the USA. He is Secretary-General of the Italian Cultural Association for Art Exchanges based in Treviso, Italy, which organises alongside Sheng Xinyu Art (Director Mr Zhang Hongbin and Mr Li Feng), Le Venezie Watercolor Festival in Treviso every year. He has a master’s degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Intercultural Development of Tourism from the Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia (2013). Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is a public research university and business school in Venice. Since its foundation in 1868, it has been housed in the Venetian Gothic palace of Ca’ Foscari on the Grand Canal, between the Rialto and San Marco, with campuses in Mestre and Treviso.
He then worked in art in Beijing for seven years thru 2022 where he was so the Co-founder and Managing Director of Yang Bo Beijing Ltd., a company focused on art and culture programs. He presented a seminar in Beijing in 2021 on The Role of Culture in Education. During his time in China, he attended many exhibitions and organized study tours for Chinese artists in Italy and Spain, visiting important institutions and governments, such as the City of Parma, the Morandi Museum in Bologna, the Spanish Association of Painters and Sculptors and others. His YouTube interview of 2015, at the end of his formidable experience in Beijing with his internship in China with CRCC Asia, described how it launched his international career in art and event management. CRCC Asia (formed from the merger in 2008 of China Recruitment Ltd (CR) and China Consulting Ltd (CC)) has supported over 11,000 students across 18 career fields through structured international internship programs with established host companies and university partners.
He has an open collaboration with the Istituto Amedeo Modigliani on international cultural exchanges and with many other associations, including the Ateneo di Treviso, a historical organization founded by Napoleon. Exhibitions he has produced include the Titian Award Poster in collaboration with Fondazione e Centro Studi Tiziano e Cadore and Central Academy of Fine Art, International College; the International Children’s Art Exhibitions in Treviso, Itay, Shanghai, China and Kentucky Folk Art Center, USA; The Li Wenyan “Fiore Luminoso” solo exhibition 2018 in collaboration with Liceo Artistico Statale di Treviso, Comune di Treviso and Musei Civici di Treviso; events at the Villa Valmarana ai Nani at Vicenza in 2019 with the focus on private and cultural promotion.
Giandomenico himself thrives in creating and developing art-related projects, taking care of all the international parts of the projects that include budget, planning, logistics, client care and new business development. He has been a translator and consultant not only in the art world but also in the computer software industry.
Festival Directors Giandomenico Padovan and the Festival’s partner Mr. Zhang Hongbin of Sheng Xinyu Art wrote to me after inviting us to help set up the exhibition of Clarence Bicknell’s botanical water-colours, firstly “”Since our competition includes a specific category for “Flowers and Plants,” we would be honored if you, Marcus Bicknell, would serve as the Special Juror for this award.” Secondly, “to further celebrate Bicknell’s legacy, we are establishing a “Clarence Bicknell Special Award” for which we would like you to select 3 winners specifically from the “Flora” submissions, based on your own standards and aesthetic preferences. This initiative will include a dedicated introduction to his life and art in our printed materials and across various Chinese media platforms. Given that our participating artists come from all over the world, we believe this collaboration will be a standout highlight of the exhibition.” We have also agreed the support of the Clarence Bicknell Association and the Bicknell family as title sponsors for Le Venezie Watercolor Festival and have provided logo artwork and flower images. Susie and I plan to be in Treviso and Venice for the start of the exhibition in October. This will be the first time Clarence Bicknell’s botanical art has been seen in Italy in public since Clarence Bicknell – La passione per i fiori diventa arte (Clarence Bicknell’s Passion for Flowers revealed in his Art) at the Anglicana in Bordighera, his home town, in October 2017.
Here is some information about last year’s Festival which featured JMW Turner:
In 2025, the 3rd International Le Venezie Watercolor Festival pays tribute to the 250th anniversary of the birth of J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), the British Romantic master known as the “painter of light.” Organized by Sheng Xinyu Art (China), co-organized by the Associazione Culturale per gli Scambi Artistici (Italy), and under the patronage of the Independent Turner Society (UK), the festival invites artists, watercolor enthusiasts, and art students from around the world to participate.
Turner’s three visits to Venice (1819, 1833, 1840) inspired masterpieces such as Dogana and San Giorgio Maggiore and Approach to Venice, in which he captures the city’s ethereal light and unique atmosphere. His bold use of color and light influenced Impressionism and modern art, earning him the title of “Father of Modern Art” by critic John Ruskin.
This festival celebrates Turner’s legacy, encouraging artists to transcend traditional boundaries and explore the expressive power of watercolor. This global event promotes artistic exchange across cultural and linguistic barriers. We invite artists, institutions, and watercolor schools to join us in renewing this timeless medium in the 21st century!
Nel 2025, il 3° Festival Internazionale dell’Acquerello per Le Venezie rende omaggio al 250° anniversario della nascita di J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), il maestro romantico britannico noto come il “pittore della luce”. Organizzato da Shengxinyu Art (Cina), co-organizzato da Associazione Culturale per gli Scambi Artistici (Italia) e con il patrocino di Independent Turner Society (Regno Unito), il festival invita artisti, appassionati di acquerello e studenti d’arte di tutto il mondo a partecipare.
Le tre visite di Turner a Venezia (1819, 1833, 1840) hanno ispirato capolavori come Dogana e San Giorgio Maggiore e Approach to Venice, in cui cattura la luce eterea e l’atmosfera unica della città. Il suo uso audace di colore e luce ha influenzato l’Impressionismo e l’arte moderna, guadagnandosi il titolo di “Padre dell’Arte Moderna” dal critico John Ruskin.
Questo festival celebra l’eredità di Turner, incoraggiando gli artisti a superare i confini tradizionali e esplorare il potere espressivo dell’acquerello. Questo è un evento globale che promuove lo scambio artistico andando oltre le barriere culturali e linguistiche. Invitiamo artisti, istituzioni e scuole d’acquerello a unirsi a noi per rinnovare questo mezzo di espressione senza tempo nel 21° secolo!
https://leveneziewatercolorfestival.blogspot.com/2025/07/celebrazione-del-250-anniversario-della.html
We take the opportunity to thank Selby Whittingham, director of the Independent Turner Society, for introducing Giandomenico Padovan to the world of Clarence Bicknell.
For further details of his partner in Le Venezie Watercolor Festival, Zhang Hongbin of Sheng Xinyu Art, please see our post of 17th February 2026 at https://clarencebicknell.com/clarence-bicknell-in-chinese/
Read the interview done by Marcus Bicknell https://clarencebicknell.com/wp-content/uploads/Interview_Marcus_Bicknell_Zhang_Hongbin_7Feb2026.pdf