Chinese lacquer painting, an important part of Chinese traditional culture, has more than 8,000 years of history. After a long period of development and innovation, Chinese lacquer painting has now a place in the field of modern art and attracts attention from all over the world.
The Year 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city relationship between Guangzhou and Auckland, to promote friendship between people of the two cities and enhance cross-cultural exchanges. As part of these celebrations, this exhibition presents a group of eminent Chinese artists whose work reflects the traditional practice and the modern development of Chinese lacquer painting.
In 2014, Mr Su Xing, an artist based in Guangdong and the principal planner of the exhibition, was invited to hold solo exhibitions in Auckland and Wellington as Chinese Cultural Ambassador to New Zealand. During this period, he became acquainted with Jack Rangiwahia (Ngati Ruanui), a Māori elder from the South Taranaki region, and his family. Deeply influenced and inspired by local Māori culture and hospitality, he made a bold experiment after returning to China, applying an 8000-year-old Chinese art form of lacquer painting to a new interpretation of Māori design.
Mr Su’s four unique portraits titled Talk About debuted in a widely acclaimed exhibition on Shamian Island of Guangzhou in 2015. Jack’s son, Simon Rangiwahia and his whanau especially attended the exhibition and were duly impressed; Rebecca Needham, the then Consul General in Guangzhou, undertook to tour it to New Zealand. Consequently, this exhibition can be regarded as a continuation of previous endeavours, and the fulfilment of the kind wishes of Mme. Needham and Simon Rangiwahia. Talk About, along with 14 Chinese lacquer paintings by other fellow artists, is on show in New Zealand, so that Jack and his whanau can see their other “selves”. The beautiful story of friendship will continue.
Opening Hours
- Tuesday - Friday 10am - 3pm
- Saturday - Sunday 8am - 5pm
Address
- 72 Hillsborough Road
- Auckland 1345
Chinese lacquer painting, an important part of Chinese traditional culture, has more than 8,000 years of history. After a long period of development and innovation, Chinese lacquer painting has now a place in the field of modern art and attracts attention from all over the world.
The Year 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city relationship between Guangzhou and Auckland, to promote friendship between people of the two cities and enhance cross-cultural exchanges. As part of these celebrations, this exhibition presents a group of eminent Chinese artists whose work reflects the traditional practice and the modern development of Chinese lacquer painting.
In 2014, Mr Su Xing, an artist based in Guangdong and the principal planner of the exhibition, was invited to hold solo exhibitions in Auckland and Wellington as Chinese Cultural Ambassador to New Zealand. During this period, he became acquainted with Jack Rangiwahia (Ngati Ruanui), a Māori elder from the South Taranaki region, and his family. Deeply influenced and inspired by local Māori culture and hospitality, he made a bold experiment after returning to China, applying an 8000-year-old Chinese art form of lacquer painting to a new interpretation of Māori design.
Mr Su’s four unique portraits titled Talk About debuted in a widely acclaimed exhibition on Shamian Island of Guangzhou in 2015. Jack’s son, Simon Rangiwahia and his whanau especially attended the exhibition and were duly impressed; Rebecca Needham, the then Consul General in Guangzhou, undertook to tour it to New Zealand. Consequently, this exhibition can be regarded as a continuation of previous endeavours, and the fulfilment of the kind wishes of Mme. Needham and Simon Rangiwahia. Talk About, along with 14 Chinese lacquer paintings by other fellow artists, is on show in New Zealand, so that Jack and his whanau can see their other “selves”. The beautiful story of friendship will continue.
