New Zealand artist Neal Palmer works on his painting during his residency at the China Academy of Art in October. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

New Zealand artist Neal Palmer created Moments Along the Way, a series of rubbings taken from manhole covers, tree bark, and bricks. A well-known botanical artist, he also painted a careful study of osmanthus — the fragrant flower that many associate with Hangzhou — and called it Light Between Days. "What I often do is look for small things in the environment and bring a focus back to them," he said. "Osmanthus is probably one of them."

Osmanthus also appears in the work of Kazakhstani artist Gulmaral Tattibay. Her abstract diptych White Birchand Osmanthus places the textures of birch bark and osmanthus side by side. "This diptych forges connections between Kazakh and Chinese cultures," she explained.