In September - October 2026, three international writers from the global UNESCO Cities of Literature network joined us in Exeter and at Agatha Christie’s summer home of Greenway for our very first Greenway Residency in partnership with National Trust South Devon!
Writer and illustrator Aining Wen from Nanjing UNESCO City of Literature shares her thoughts on her time in Devon in this blog!
“It all felt like a beautiful dream…”
Thank you, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, and thank you, Greenway House.
This was the first artist residency I have ever taken part in, and it has become one of my happiest memories of the year.
I am a picture book author and illustrator, with over 30 books published in different languages around the world. As an artist, I spend most of my working time creating on my own. So living and creating alongside other people was something completely new to me. It felt a little magical, and truly wonderful.
During my residency, I completed 12 illustrations inspired by Greenway House, finished a new picture book called The Sun and the Moon Fell in Love, and, inspired by Agatha Christie, began writing more new stories for my picture book series, Little Music Forest.
Although the residency lasted only three short weeks, I spent much of that time exploring and enjoying the beautiful South Devon countryside.
Looking back, I can honestly say that every experience filled my days with inspiration and a fresh excitement for creating. I felt happy every single day.
After returning to Exeter, we took part in a series of public events and conversations. When meeting local artists and writers, I was amazed to discover that my illustrations had been printed on a cake! A little exhibition of my illustrations was also arranged on top of an old piano! (Thank you, Anna and Martha, for this lovely idea!)
It all felt like a beautiful dream.
Another special moment was taking part in a public interview and sharing session with two other writers. It was the first time in my life that I had taken part in such a formal interview and discussion in English. As a writer whose first language is not English, I felt quite nervous. But everyone was so thoughtful and kind that something which had seemed difficult suddenly felt easy. Somehow, everything fell into place so naturally.
After the residency, I put together a collection of product mock-ups featuring my illustrations, and I am looking forward to exploring the possibility of collaborating with Greenway House. I have also sent the dummy of my new picture book to several publishers, and I hope that one day it might find its way into the world as a published book.
Now that the residency is over, I have returned to my ordinary, everyday life. And yet, something feels a little different.
I think I have fallen even more in love with drawing. And beyond drawing, I want to live a little more fully, take more walks, and pay closer attention to all the little beautiful things around me.
Perhaps that is what this residency has given me most of all: not just new ideas or new work, but a renewed love for creating, for living, and for noticing the beauty of the world.
Thank you to everyone who made these three weeks so special. I will carry this little piece of magic with me for a long, long time.
And I hope I can come back one day!
Aining, Nanjing UNESCO City of Literature
