Oriental Culture Immersed: Chinese Lacquer Art and Tea Ritual Journey

Welcome to the Oriental Culture Immersed: Chinese Lacquer Art and Tea Ritual Journey!

Welcome to a unique experience at Calders Wharf! Join us on 16 November 2025 at 2:00 PM for Oriental Culture Immersed: The Chinese Lacquer Art and Tea Ritual Journey.

Begin your afternoon with a calming tea ritual, where you’ll experience the serenity and symbolism of Chinese tea culture. Then, discover the elegance of Chinese lacquer art — an Intangible Cultural Heritage — as you paint a gourd with natural lacquer, a traditional symbol of blessing, health, and prosperity. You’ll also craft a beautiful Oriental scent sachet, blending art and fragrance into mindful creation.

Together, these experiences form a one-of-a-kind cultural journey, leaving you with unique handmade pieces that reflect harmony, craftsmanship, and tranquillity.

About Tea Story

Tea Story is a modern Oriental tea brand based in London, dedicated to restoring the art of mindful tea drinking in contemporary life. All of our teas are EU-organic certified and sourced from historic tea mountains across China for their purity, energy-balancing properties and natural healing benefits.

Through tea ceremonies, wellness collaborations and sensory experiences, Tea Story invites individuals to slow down, reconnect with themselves and rediscover tea as a daily ritual of nourishment and inner harmony.

In early 2026, Tea Story will open Europe’s largest Oriental Tea Lounge in Oxford Circus, offering a dedicated space for tea rituals, cultural experiences and community wellness — bringing the ancient wisdom of tea into the heart of modern London life.

About Lacquer Artist

Mengyi Zhang, a contemporary artist from Chongqing, China, works primarily with lacquer as her core material language. Her practice reimagines traditional craftsmanship within contemporary art, exploring how materials transform through time, environment, and bodily interaction.

For Zhang, lacquer is not just a medium but a way of thinking — a dialogue between material, culture, and perception. Through installations and object-based works, she examines the evolving relationship between humans, nature, and matter, revealing how materials can shape both narrative and meaning.

Event Highlights

• Authentic Chinese Tea Ritual — Begin with a calm and immersive tea experience that connects tradition, mindfulness, and the art of slow living.
• Lacquer Art Creation — Explore Chinese lacquer craftsmanship, honoured as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, and paint your own gourd, a traditional symbol of blessing, health, and prosperity.
• Oriental Scent Sachet Making — Blend natural herbs and flowers to create your own fragrant sachet, combining elegance, intention, and sensory balance.
• Cultural Symbolism — Learn the stories behind tea, lacquer, and fragrance — each rooted in centuries of artistry and philosophy.
• Personal Creations — Bring home two unique handmade pieces, crafted entirely by you, representing harmony, creativity, and serenity.
• Rare Cultural Encounter — A one-of-a-kind experience where Eastern heritage meets mindful modern living.
• Exclusive Tea Story privileges – all guests will receive a complimentary drink or dessert voucher for Tea Story’s flagship Tea Lounge opening in Oxford Circus.

Who This Is For

• Those who love art, culture, and mindful rituals, and wish to experience Eastern heritage in a calm and elegant way.
• Anyone curious about Chinese craftsmanship, from lacquer art to tea culture, and how ancient traditions meet modern creativity.
• Art lovers and design enthusiasts looking for inspiration through material, texture, and sensory experiences.
• People seeking a slow, grounding escape from busy city life — a moment to reconnect with yourself through hands-on creation.
• Beginners and curious learners — no prior art or tea knowledge needed; all materials and guidance are provided.
• A wonderful experience for friends, couples, or solo participants to share calm conversation, creativity, and discovery.
• Perfect for anyone who believes that art, scent, and tea can open new ways of seeing and feeling.