It is my great pleasure to present “Water Forming Chengdu: Ecological Art since 1990s ” from 2nd June to 15th July 2022 in China Cultural Centre in Sydney, which is jointly organized by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, China Cultural Centre in Sydney and Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcast-TV and Tourism.

The exhibition invites those artists from China and overseas who have been paying close attention to natural environment and creating constantly since the 1990s. The exhibits created by Li Yin, Jian Li-Ting, Ren Qian, Sun Haili, Tong Wenmin, Xiang Qinghua, Yang Fangwei and Zhang Jin, highlights contemporary art works and research projects with water system as the research object or on-site implementation, including but not limited to works of behaviour, video, oil painting, photography and installation. The exhibition hopes to explore the connections between individual and nature, society and others with water as inspiration and sort out the evolvement of Chengdu with water as a clue.

Chengdu is formed and developed with water. In July 1995, a series of performance and installation art activities with the theme of Water Protector was lasting for more than two weeks in Chengdu. Originated from this campaign, the Living Water Garden in Chengdu was created and has become a remarkable public environmental landscape with international reputation. The Exhibition also includes items and documentation from Water Protector and Living Water Garden projects, which at that time profoundly illustrate the philosophy of intellectual connection between ecology and art.

Coincident with rīvus – the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, the exhibition explores the similar topic on the relationships between humans and water bodies. I hope that the exhibition will help more and more Australian people learn more about the development of contemporary art and ecological progress in Chengdu, promote the exchange and mutual learning in culture and art between China and Australia, and enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and Australian people.

Wish “Water Forming Chengdu: Ecological Art since the 1990s” a great success!

Xiayong Xiao 

Director

China Cultural Centre in Sydney