This September, internationally recognised Chinese artist Lin Fanglu will present her spectacular work, She’s Bestowed Love, at The Peninsula Istanbul. The monumental site-specific installation, inspired by traditional Bai textile crafts, offers a striking visual celebration of women’s labour, resilience, and the enduring power of love.
The work, which will be prominently displayed as of 24 September in The Lobby of the hotel’s historic Passenger Building, is presented as part of Art in Resonance, The Peninsula Hotels’ global contemporary art programme. Its arrival in Istanbul marks the latest chapter in the artwork’s international journey. Specially commissioned for Art in Resonance and first presented at The Peninsula Hong Kong during Hong Kong Art Week in March 2025, the work subsequently travelled to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and The Peninsula London. Its installation at The Peninsula Istanbul will be inaugurated at the start of the 21st iteration of Türkiye’s leading international art fair, Contemporary Istanbul, in partnership with the event.
Debut During Contemporary Istanbul
The unveiling of the work at The Peninsula Istanbul will take place as part of the 21st annual Contemporary Istanbul art fair, Türkiye’s premier modern-art showcase. The hotel’s partnership with Contemporary Istanbul reinforces the hotel’s commitment to celebrating the creative spirit of its home city, and inviting guests to do the same.
This ethos of connecting communities through meaningful artistic experiences is one that has long been embraced across The Peninsula Hotels portfolio. Since launching Art in Resonance in 2019, the brand has been providing thought-provoking and groundbreaking art experiences for visitors across its global collection of hotels. Alongside providing curatorial support, production opportunities and visibility for artists, commissioned works continue their journey beyond their original setting, creating new conversations across cultures and communities.
“We are thrilled to host this deeply thought-provoking work from Ms. Lin,” said Jonathan Crook, Managing Director of The Peninsula Istanbul. “As well as allowing our guests the opportunity to interface with world-class art, the installation lets us uphold The Peninsula’s larger vision of embracing and supporting visionary creativity in our home cities around the world.”
An Homage to Love and Female Resilience
Curated by Dr. Xiaoxin Li, Curator of the Asia Department at London’s V&A Museum, She’s Bestowed Love features an array of red-dyed textiles, crafted in the traditional style of Bai women of southwestern China. Their vivid hues evoke energy, emotion, and the cycles of life and love, while the textiles crown rising forms that evoke Gaia, the Greek goddess who nurtures all existence. The work pays tribute not only to the generations of Bai women whose knowledge, hard work, and creativity have sustained these cultural traditions over time, but also to the boundless love and enduring strength of all women.
“In my work, I often seek to make visible the labour, love and women, who remain largely unseen,” said Ms. Lin. “The presentation of She’s Bestowed Love at The Peninsula Istanbul will allow these themes to be contemplated in a space where people move through and engage with the flow of everyday life. This is very meaningful to me.”
