The opening ceremony of Water Forming Chengdu – Ecological Art since 1990s, a contemporary arts exhibition 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 was held in China Cultural Centre in Sydney on 9th June 2022. H.E. Zhou Limin, Consul General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney issued a congratulatory message to the opening of the Exhibition. Around 40 people participated in the opening ceremony including Mr Xiao Xiayong, Director of China Cultural Centre and China National Tourist Office in Sydney, Ms Margaret Yung Kelly, the President of the Australia-China Friendship Society NSW Inc, Mr David van Nunen OAM, the President of the Australian Watercolour Institute, and Dr Zoe White, the President of Australian Sichuan-Chongqing Science and Cultural Exchange Committee and our friends from the local art sector as well as reporters from Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily Online Australia, Southeast Net Australia, Australian Chinese Daily and South World Media.
H.E. Zhou Limin extended his warm congratulations on the opening of the Exhibition. “Since ancient times, water is of great significance in nurturing and shaping civilizations. Joining the local government and professionals, Chinese artists proactively demonstrate their care and concern for Chengdu water quality and local environment with large quantities of art works production. we wishes to discuss and reflect together with audience on the current environment we are living in and the connection between people and the nature, through the media of “water”, against the background of climate change. We also wish the Exhibition would spark interests among Australian artists who could foster more communication, cooperation and better understanding between two peoples in the future”, said he.
Mr Xiao Xiayong gave a detailed overview on the exhibition. He said the exhibition showcases artworks that range from behaviour art, video, oil painting, photography and installation from 8 Chinese and overseas artists and historical documentation from two water protection movements in the 90s. He also highlighted that Chinese contemporary artist has paid extra attention to environment issues, especially water protection. He believes that this exhibition will bring audience a deeper understanding in Chengdu, a city with a rich historical culture amidst the modern urban setting. He wished that the audience can also learn more about Chinese contemporary art development and the ecological conservation, and enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Australian people with art as a bridge.
Ms Margaret Yung Kelly said, “We have been friends of China since 1953, and celebrating our 70th anniversary this year. I really enjoy attending exhibitions at China Cultural Centre. We in Sydney are so blessed to be able to learn and appreciate Chinese culture and what modern day China doing to help the world would be a better place for all people.” She also appreciated the efforts by China Cultural Centre in Sydney in promoting friendship and understanding between the people of Australia and China.
“Natural ecological environment is one of the most controversial topics. I hope more Australians will learn about Chengdu’s contemporary arts and ecological projects. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. I would like to thank the China Cultural Centre in Sydney for bringing stories from Chengdu to us and let us to appreciate the rich modern art and culture of China,” said Dr Zoe White.
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.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.
Although the continuous Covid-19 pandemic hinders the normal cultural exchanges between China and Australia, our Centre working closely with Chengdu has presented a series of online and offline cultural events to showcase the unique beauty of Chengdu with all dimensions, leaving an indelible chapter in the effort to promote people-to-people exchange between China and Australia.
