(Macao, August 8, 2012) - The Masters in Ink exhibition, showcasing a truly unique selection of 90 traditional Chinese ink paintings with an estimated value of over RMB 80 million for the first time in Macao, was inaugurated at the Florence ballroom of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel Wednesday. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by government officials, organisers, and nine of China's most influential contemporary ink painters. The general public can enjoy the works of art from August 9 to 21, between noon and 8 pm daily, with free admission.
Organised by the China International Exhibition Agency and Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Culture Development Company Limited, and co-organised by The Venetian Macao and the Macau Artist Society, the one-of-a-kind exhibition features what are considered to be the most influential and highest quality traditional Chinese ink paintings of the last century, with the exhibition showcasing two groups of paintings: 40 genuine masterpieces valued at over RMB 60 million of various legendary masters, such as Qi Baishi, Wu Guanzhong and Li Kuchan; and 50 paintings valued at RMB 20 million of the 25 most renowned and influential contemporary masters, such as Liu Dawei, Du Ziling and Yang Lizhou. Many of the works in the exhibition have travelled with China's cultural delegations to dozens of countries around the world; the exhibition's 40 masterpiece paintings accompanied Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on his December 2010 visit to Pakistan.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at 6:30 pm at The Venetian Macao's Milan ballroom, was officiated by the following guests:
• Mr. Hu Zheng Yue, Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region
• Mr. Zhang Xiao Guang, Deputy Director-General, Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region
• Mr. Wan Ji Yuan, Deputy General Manager, China Arts and Entertainment Group
• Ms. Chang Hong, Director and General Manager, Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Culture Development Company Limited
• Mr. Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sands China Ltd.
• Mr. Lai Ieng, President, Macau Artist Society
• Mr. Ma Xinlin, Director, Membership Section of the China Artist Association
• Mr. Liu Jian, Director, Office of the China Artist Association
"The China International Exhibition Agency in fact reflects the history of cultural exchange in modern China. We have created many 'number-ones' in the history of exhibition exchange, and represented the country to collect a lot of valuable art pieces from the 20th century," says Mr. Wan. "Chinese painting has a very long history which made Chinese arts form its own uniqueness, carrying an important status in the world history of art. Today, we have selected 40 paintings from 25 masters to be showcased in Masters in Ink. These artists demonstrate the highest level of Chinese painting and calligraphy in the 20th century."
Ms. Chang says, "Traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting are a pearl in the world's cultural treasure, and a gem in Chinese arts. Chinese calligraphy and painting not only have a long history, but are also rich in outstanding pieces of work and unique characters. We hope that this exhibition will not only give Macao residents a chance to appreciate these exquisite paintings, but also allow people from around the world to increase their understanding of Chinese culture."
"Today we're celebrating the launch of a very special exhibition together," says Mr. Tracy. "At Sands China, we keep a sharp eye out for opportunities to enrich Macao's cultural offering. It's an important part of our push to establish the Cotai Strip® as Asia's number one business, entertainment and leisure destination, and Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure. I'm happy that we were able to help bring about this important cultural exchange between the mainland and Macao. I hope both locals and visitors will take advantage of this rare opportunity to enjoy the wonderful paintings on display here with Masters in Ink, and we look forward to bringing more cultural events to Macao in the near future."
Among the 25 renowned contemporary masters participating in Masters in Ink, nine flew from China to host a two-hour exchange workshop at 10 am at The Venetian Macao, where they shared their valuable painting skills and techniques and practised ink painting together with nine Macao artists, including Mr. Lai; Mr. Lee Tak Sheng, Vice President of the Macau Artist Society; Mr. Zheng Kwok Ming, President of the Macao Ink Art Association; Mr. Lao Fu Ip, President of the Delight (Macau) Artist Association; Mr. Kwan Kun Cheong, President of Associacao De Artee Cultura "WAHA" Macau; and Mr. Chui Weng Chi, Vice Director-General of the Macau Chinese Culture and Arts Association.
The nine masters from China were:
• Mr. Ma Xinlin, award-winning director of the membership section of the China Artists Association
• Mr. Li Baolin, Class I fine arts artist of the China National Academy of Painting and deputy director of the Chinese Painting College of the China National Academy of Painting
• Mr. Liu Jian, director of the Office of the China Artist Association and researcher at the China National Art Academy
• Mr. Man Weiqi, national Class I fine arts artist and standing vice president of the Chinese Painting Department at the Chinese National Academy of Arts under the Ministry of Culture
• Mr. Yang Mingyi, national Class I fine arts artist and deputy director of the Guoyun Wenhua Academy of Painting and Calligraphy under the Ministry of Culture
• Mr. Sun Zhijun, professor of the College of Fine Arts at Capital Normal University and vice chairman of the Beijing Artists Association
• Mr. Zhu Daoping, Class I fine arts artist of the Institute of Painting and Calligraphy, Nanjing, and chairman of the Nanjing Artists Association
• Mr. Fang Chuxiong, professor of the Department of Chinese Painting at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and member of the China Artists Association
• Mr. Shang Tao, Class I fine arts artist of the Guangdong Painting Academy and recipient of a special government allowance from the State Council
Representing the participating contemporary painters, Mr. Liu said in a welcome speech, "Chinese paintings are the symbols of Chinese traditional arts and have a very long history. They were enriched, improved, inherited and innovated in each of the dynasties, gradually forming a unique way of expression, and a language of art and aesthetics. While inheriting traditions, Chinese painters strive to innovate and establish their own styles, and at the same time incorporate elements from the art world. This exhibition undoubtedly enriches Macao's oriental culture, and also provides an opportunity for the Macao audience to understand the development of Chinese paintings in our nation."
Masters in Ink opens to the public Thursday, with free admission, at The Venetian Macao. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this unique exhibition while it lasts; the exhibition closes August 21.
Photo caption: Nine Macao artists interact with nine ink painting masters from China during a two-hour exchange workshop at The Venetian Macao Wednesday. The workshop was in advance of Wednesday evening's opening ceremony for the Masters in Ink exhibition, featuring 90 traditional Chinese ink paintings with an estimated value of over RMB 80 million, on display until August 21.
Photo caption: Nine contemporary ink painters from China and the organisers of Masters in Ink answer questions from the media before the opening ceremony begins at The Venetian Macao Wednesday.
Photo caption: Government officials, organisers and two of China's renowned contemporary ink painters officiate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Masters in Ink at The Venetian Macao Wednesday.
From left to right: Mr. Ma Xinlin, Director, Membership Section of the China Artist Association; Mr. Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sands China Ltd.; Mr. Wan Ji Yuan, Deputy General Manager, China Arts and Entertainment Group; Mr. Hu Zheng Yue, Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Mr. Zhang Xiao Guang, Deputy Director-General, Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Ms. Chang Hong, Director and General Manager, Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Culture Development Company Limited; Mr. Lai Ieng, President, Macau Artist Society; and Mr. Liu Jian, Director, Office of the China Artist Association; and Mr. Liu Jian, Director, Office of the China Artist Association.
Photo caption: Government officials, organisers and nine of China's most influential contemporary ink painters attend the opening ceremony for Masters in Ink at The Venetian Macao Wednesday.
Photo caption: Government officials and organisers view the 90 exquisite masterpieces exclusively showcased at the Masters in Ink exhibition at The Venetian Macao Wednesday.
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About China International Exhibition Agency
Founded in 1950, the China International Exhibition Agency (CIEA) was the first national art exhibition institution established in the People's Republic of China. In 2004, approved by the State Council, CIEA became one of the two core organisations under China Arts & Entertainment Group. With over a half century of evolution - with the mission to promote Chinese culture to the world and channel culture of the world to China - CIEA has mounted thousands of major international exhibitions of various nature. In recent years, CIEA organised and co-organised numerous famous events, including the China International Fine Arts Year, Les Années Chine-France (the Year of China-France), the Year of China/Russia, China-Japan-Korea Cultural and Sports Exchange Year, exhibition of 'Meet in Beijing - 2008' Olympic cultural series, Venice Biennale, and the Sao Paulo Art Biennial China Pavilion.
About Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Culture Development Company Limited
Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Cultural Development Company Limited originated from the Association for the Promotion of International Exchanges of Oriental Culture, Beijing, which was established in 1998. The company seeks to enhance cultural exchanges both at home and abroad, providing not only a platform for artistic exhibitions and exchanges but an impetus to elevating the cultural content of enterprises. Ms. Chang Hong, one of the founders of the company who has been working in the field of culture and arts since 1994, has planned and organised a number of large-scale national painting and calligraphy exhibitions as well as exchange programmes between cultural and artistic organisations and different sectors of society, and also nationwide charitable cultural bodies.
About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao's first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat CotaiArena™ designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; MALO CLINIC Health & Wellness; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.