(Macao, July 20, 2012) - A truly unique selection of 90 traditional Chinese ink paintings with an estimated value of over RMB 80 million are being presented together for the first time in Macao, at the Masters in Ink exhibition at the Florence ballroom of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel from August 8 until 21, 2012. 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 40 genuine masterpieces from the most renowned Chinese ink painters of the last century and also 50 paintings from the 25 most influential contemporary ink painters in China. General public can enjoy the works of art from August 9 to 21, with free admission.
"Chinese painting and calligraphy possess a long history and feature the traditional traits of the Chinese culture. It was not only inherited and developed well, but also became a direct showcase of the spiritual world of Chinese people," says Zhang Yu, President of China Arts and Entertainment Group, "This exhibition provides a good opportunity for the people in Macao and visitors from the rest of world to experience the Chinese culture. You must have to use your hearts to feel these works, rather than just seeing them with your eyes."
Chang Hong, Director and General Manager of Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Culture Development Company Limited, says, "This exhibition will not only provide an opportunity for the public of Macau to enjoy these paintings at a close distance, but also help to enrich the cultural environment of this beautiful city which is an excellent example of a mix of Eastern and Western cultures. I hope that through this event we could further promote art and culture exchanges between the mainland, Macao and Hong Kong, and encourage more people to become a cultural ambassador so as to help carry forward the excellent cultural heritage of China."
"Fostering cultural exchange between mainland China, Macao, and the rest of the world continues to be the mission of Sands China, as a world-class convention and exhibition organiser and venue operator," says Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd. "We are very thankful to the China International Exhibition Agency and Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Culture Development Company Limited for bringing this once-in-a-lifetime ink painting exhibition to The Venetian Macao. Sands China is always committed to offering the best and most unique experience to our customers. Thus we hope Macao's visitors and residents alike will find time to take advantage of the extraordinary opportunity for cultural enrichment provided by Masters in Ink."
Masters in Ink features what are considered to be the most influential and highest quality traditional Chinese ink paintings of the last century, with the exhibition divided into two sections: 40 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 25 most renowned 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, in which the 40 genuine paintings had accompanied Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to visit Pakistan.
Brief biographies of select painters
Qi Baishi (1864 -1957), born in Xiangtan, Hunan, is a master of Chinese painting, and one of the top ten calligraphers and artists in the 20th century, and a world-renowned celebrity of literature. He is a well-known painter, calligrapher, sealcutter and poet. Qi made a significant contribution to the development of traditional Chinese art.
Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010), Born in 1919, a native of Yixing in Jiangsu province. He went to France in 1947 and entered the Superieure des Beaux Arts in Paris. After his return to China in 1950, he took a series of teaching posts in various academies including the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, Tsinghua University and Beijing Arts School.
Li Kuchan (1899-1983), was born in Shandong Province. His courtesy name was Ligong. He carried out the fine tradition of Chinese painting and combined it with a western one. He studied ancient painters and established his own style. His works featured a simplified form but an outstanding image.
Liu Dawei, born in 1945, graduated from postgraduate studies of Chinese painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1980. He is currently a professor and director at the People's Liberation Army Art Academy as well as dean of the People's Liberation Army Creative Art Centre, vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and chairman of the China Artists Association. His works have been awarded at major national exhibitions and exhibited in countries and regions such as Japan, Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Du Ziling, born in 1941 and originally from Tianjin, is a member of the National CPPCC, council member of the China Artists Association, vice president of the Chinese Painting Institute, supervisor to doctoral students in the Chinese National Academy of Arts and professor of Nankai University.
Yang Lizhou, born in 1942, is a national Class I fine arts artist and sponsored by a State Council special governmental allowance. He was the former director and deputy Party secretary of the National Art Museum of China, member of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the 5th and 6th vice president of the China Artists Association He currently serves as consultant to the 7th China Artists Association, a member of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC and vice chairman of the Chinese Painting Institute.
Photo caption: Shrimps, one of the most renowned ink paintings of Master Qi Baishi, will be showcased at the Masters in Ink exhibition at The Venetian Macao from August 8 until 21, 2012.
Photo caption: Master Wu Guanzhong's Gulangyu will be showcased at the Masters in Ink exhibition at The Venetian Macao from August 8 until 21, 2012.
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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.