Expression in the Wstern Region by Wu Changjiang

On December 2 local time, the Oriental Museum located in Lisbon, capital of Portugal, was crowded with extreme passion. “Ink China: Contemporary Chinese Painting Exhibition”, jointly sponsored by China Artists Association (CAA) and Oriental Foundation in Portugal and undertaken by Rong Bao Zhai, took its grand opening, as part of the annual serial event titled Global Trip of Chinese Fine Arts. Nearly hundred works by 85 contemporary Chinese masters presented an arts gala of oriental charms to the audiences and artists in Portugal. 

Early Spring in February by Du Ziling

The distinguished attendees from Chinese side are Mr. Liu Dawei, president of CAA, CAA Delegation, Mr. Zhang Beisan, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, and Mr. Li Weikun, cultural counselor. From Portuguese side, Mr. Meng Zhihao, president of Portuguese Oriental Foundation, Ms. Maria Martins, president of Oriental Museum and Mr. Zuao Carl Wong, CEO of the Museum, along with ambassadors from Japanese and Pakistani embassies. In the welcome speech, Meng Zhihao mentioned that cultural communications between China and Portugal dated as early as 500 years ago. Attaching great importance to cultural exchange and cooperation with China, such a representative Asian country, Portuguese government invested a lot in building this largest museum of oriental cultural introduction in Europe in 2008. “Today, it is a great honor for this landmark museum to receive the selected masterpieces from such an ancient civilization in the East. Lisbon, this time-honored port city, will be long immersed in a artistic carnival” Meng uttered in excitement, “We are fully convinced that this exhibition will promote the bilateral relationship between China and Portugal and witness the eternal friendship between the peoples of the two countries.” 

Spring Mountain after Shower by Long Rui

Liu Dawei was deeply touched by European audiences’ strong interest in Chinese traditional painting arts. He said, “It is the first time that CAA has held such a large-scale exhibition in Portugal. All the exhibited works come from the contemporary first-class artists and thus represent artistry in Chinese ink and brush painting. The forms are mostly classical album or hand scrolls in ancient times, which provides the original taste. As to themes and language, features of relaxation and leisure not only demonstrate the artists’ focus, succession and spiritual pursuit of the pure Chinese cultural essence under the current multi-element circumstance, but also record their own thinking about modernity and their liberal creation beyond the limitation of tradition. Then a new vision, namely ‘echo the ancient passion, pursue the new idea’ has taken shape”. 

In his speech, Zhang Beisan, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, expressed his expectation, “We hope that this Chinese painting exhibition will lay a solid foundation for artistic exchange between China and Portugal, promote more cultural exchange and cooperation among artists of the two countries, and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples”. Reportedly this exhibition will last about a month and accompany the citizen in Lisbon into the New Year.