THE REPRESENTATION OF CHINESE CULTURAL IDENTITY IN TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS-THEMED ARTWORKS OF NANYANG ARTISTS

As China's doors opened to the world, an increasing number of Chinese people chose to leave their homeland and seek opportunities abroad. The "migration to Nanyang" , the largest and most far-reaching cross-border migration wave in modern Chinese history, not only led Chinese migrants in the Nanyang region to uphold their ethnic beliefs, customs, and festivals but also fostered the development of a unique Chinese cultural identity in the area. This study constructs a conceptual framework and adopts qualitative research methods, integrating observation and literature analysis, to examine three festival-themed artworks by Chinese immigrant artists in Nanyang (Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chinese New Year). The research aims to explore the cultural identity of Nanyang Chinese toward traditional Chinese festivals and its multifaceted representations. These artworks not only reflect the migrants' adherence to festival customs, decorations, foods, and activities but also highlight their efforts to preserve and practice the spirit of Chinese culture within a foreign environment.