On the Feb 4th 2020, USTB-DMU Confucius Institute(CI) invited Sun Jiujiang and Wang Yu, both famous Chinese painters, to offer a special workshop on traditional Chinese paintings for postgraduates in Art Museum and Gallery Studies at the University of Leicester during the artists' art exhibition at Curve Theatre, a core cultural center in the heart of Leicester.
Theworkshop is one of a series enhancing the tour exhibition ofChinese paintings entitled “Instant, Insight, Inscape” in the UK as part of Chinese New Year celebrations.
Pic 1 -TheCI Director introducing the exhibition and the painters
The workshop was conducted in a casual and easy atmosphere. Yang Yingjun, the Director of the CI, gave a brief introduction of the exhibition and the painters. Sun’s picturesque landscapes are subtle expressions of a kind of nostalgia whilst Wang’s poeticdepiction of flowers and birds voiceshis aesthetic pursuits.
Pic 2 -Sun Jiujiang on symbolism of rivers and brooks in Chinese paintings
Then the students began to peruse the paintings with the artists and asked them questionsfrom time to time. Sun responded to questions on domestic animals, saying that they symbolize regeneration, fertility and prosperity in Chinese culture. Wang answered enquiries on birds, explaining that they endowpaintings of flowers with a kind of vivacity and soul.
Pic 3 - Wang Yuon symbolism of flowers and birds in Chinese paintings
As one of the exhibition co-organizers, Ma Jianzhong, manager of Accord Culture Media (Beijing) Ltd, updated the visitors on thedevelopment of planning and conducting exhibitions in Chinese museums and galleries and the basic procedures for international exhibitions.
Pic 4 - Ma Jianzhong on how to conduct international exhibitions in China
For many of the visitors, it was totally fresh experience to observe Chinese paintings at first hand with their painters. They were so excited that they asked for the signatures and contact information of the painters. They said that this event was not only a special aestheticexperience, but also a chance for practical knowledge of international art exhibitions, which will a great help for their future careers.
Pic 5 -A group photo
The workshopcame to an end too soon, and everyone was reluctant to leave. They took photos with the painters and their works to keep memory alive.
The tour exhibition ofChinese paintings has four legs: Leicester, Sheffield Newcastle, and Coventry.
(Draft: XIANGHenglan; Revision: YANG Yingjun)
