Chinese Fine Arts in Prayer for World Peace
‘Art and Peace’ Chinese Contemporary Fine Arts Exhibition in Rome
Chinese and Foreign Dignitaries at the Launching Ceremony of the Exhibition
Chinese Fried Bread Stick with Western Butter , Sculpture (glass fiber reinforced plastics) by Tan Xu
Unity of Heaven and Human in the Philosopher of Laozi, Sculpture (bronze) by Wu Weishan
Yi Ethnic People Going to a Market Fair , Traditional Chinese Painting by Liu Dawei
Crowds gathered at the entrance to the exhibition hall of Complesso del Vittoriano in the center of Rome on the evening of May 23rd, 2017 for the launch of ‘Art and Peace: Chinese Contemporary Fine Arts Exhibition’. Co-hosted by the Chinese Artists Association (CAA) and the Association of Chinese Artists in Italy, and with financial support from the China National Arts Fund, the exhibition entertained audience both in Italy and around Europe with Chinese culture as well as stories of arts and peace in the eyes of Chinese artists.
There were 40 select award-winning works the Beijing International Art Biennale and by Chinese contemporary art masters. They came in various art forms, such as traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, block printing, sculpture, watercolor, lacquer painting and synthesize material creation, all of which were in vivid narration of Chinese people’s love for peace and harmony as well as their pursuit for happiness in life.
The launching ceremony carried grandeur and solemnity. Giant posters and high-rising backboard at the entrance were well in harmony with nearby remnant city walls of ancient Rome. Over 100 honorable guests showed up, including Mme. Zhao Shi, the visiting Executive Vice President of CFLAC, Mr. Xu Li, Vice President of CAA, Mr. Wang Shengwen, Chairman of Association of Chinese Artists in Italy, as well as high-ranking representatives from Italian Cultural Ministry, Complesso de Vittoriano, and Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma.
In her speech, Mme. Zhao Shi spoke highly of the intimate and fruitful cultural exchanges between China and Italy, emphasizing that the long-standing and well-established bilateral exchanges have not only passed down beautiful stories of Marco Polo and the ancient Silk Road, but also made monumental contributions to the development of world civilization. She expressed sincere hope that the exhibition would build up yet another bridge for people-to-people friendship and heart-to-heart communication between the two countries. Mme. Zheng Xuan, Charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to Italy, specially recalled the positive output of President Sergio Mattarella’s state visit to China early this year and of Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni’s recent participation in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. She pointed out that the exhibition fit in well with the agreement between leaders of the two countries to expand exchanges and cooperation in the field of cultural heritage as well as to strengthen people-to-people contacts.
The artworks at the exhibition recapped the past themes of Beijing International Art Biennale exhibitions and presented a miniature of contemporary Chinese fine arts. Some depicted colorful and harmonious ethnic landscape, such as Yi Ethnic People Going to a Market Fair, a small freehand brushwork of Chinese ink painting by Liu Dawei, Excitement at the Competition Field , a traditional Chinese painting by Wu Tuanliang, No. 7 of the Family Series , a sketchy Chinese ink painting by Yin Huili. These paintings highlighted both ethnic features and common cultural traits of the Chinese people, and embodied the returned self-awareness in the Chinese culture. Some of the artworks recorded historical moments, such as Unity of Heaven and Human in the Philosopher of Laozi, a sculpture by Wu Weishan, Traveler , a sculpture by Li Xiangqun, Defenders of China , an oil painting by Fang Xianghui. With rich and colorful languages of formative arts, they embodied the reconstruction of Chinese history and the renewal of the Chinese culture by means of close communion with the national heritage. Some of the artworks showed artistic reflections on real life, such as Southern-China Confucius Temple in the Drizzle , a traditional Chinese painting by Tian Linhai, I Am Actually a Young Man , an oil painting by Yan Ping, and Chinese Fried Bread Stick with Western Butter, a sculpture by Tan Xu. They revealed, from various angles, the transition of social spirits along with the changes in history. Some of the artworks offered urban landscapes decorated with modern technology and fashion, such as Metropolitan Beauties , a wooden carving by Lu Jin, Concerto by Chen Gang, Residence in an Encircled City by PENG Wei. Some of the artworks expressed care for the ecology and environment, such as Homeland , an oil painting by XU Li, Sight over the Reed Tip , a watercolor painting by Xu Jiang, and Chopstick Tree , an oil painting by Luo Zhinan. They sounded the artistic calls for safeguarding and developing the common homeland for all mankind. All of these artworks, in an evolving and echoing manner, established a panoramic view for a common theme, i.e., hope for the peace and care for the earth.
‘These 40 pieces of artworks are astounding and the Chinese artists are really outstanding. While art and peace is the eternal subject, the Chinese artists have made fine presentations in different themes and forms.’ Luisa, an Italian artist said so. ‘The exhibition comes in various styles and multiple ethnic themes. It is splendid.’ said Julia, a government employee.Giampalo D'andrea Director of the General Office of the Italian Cultural Ministry, made his comments with emotion. He said that just like the city of Rome, art and peace is the eternal subject for all mankind. It carries such special and positive meanings that may best touch the hearts of the audience and bring up resonance in their mind.
Prior to the launching ceremony, the CFLAC delegation met with local Italian art celebrities. CAA delegation held a news conference to introduce the exhibition to major local media. Later on, the CAA delegation came to a symposium on China-Italy fine arts exchanges at the time-honored Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, and had face-to-face discussions with professors and students there. Mr. XU Li delivered keynote speech, elaborating the overview of present-day China, the Beijing International Art Biennale and the ways to appreciate the exhibition artworks. He extended sincere invitation to the local friends for a visit to Beijing this September for the launch of the 7th Beijing International Art Biennale.
CAA started the international tour of the‘Art and Peace’exhibition only last year and saw success in Copenhagen and Brussels. The exhibition has promoted Beijing International Art Biennale over the world. Its theme of peace caters to the common aspiration of the international community, brings comforts to people in face of terrorist threats, and has therefore received warm responses. The exhibition in Italy is the first stop for this year’s tour, to be followed in Finland, U.K., and Georgia.
