Asian artists capture SZ in paintings

Paintings portraying landscapes in Shenzhen and Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, by 12 Asian artists are on display at the “Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous — Asian Artists’ Field Trip to China: Collection and Creation Exhibition Shenzhen” exhibition at the Guan Shanyue Art Museum through this Sunday.

The artists from Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka visited Wenzhou and Shenzhen earlier this month. During their six-day tour in Shenzhen, they explored landmarks such as Lianhua Hill Park and Qianhai Stone Park, as well as art museums including the Guan Shanyue Art Museum and the He Xiangning Art Museum.

A foreign artist of the “Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous — Asian Artists’ Field Trip to China” project paints at Lianhua Hill Park in Shenzhen earlier this month. Photo courtesy of the organizers

They also visited art villages such as the Dafen Oil Painting Village and the Guanlan Original Printmaking Base, experiencing Shenzhen’s diverse and inclusive cultural charm, the achievements of its reform and opening up, and its urban development.

They gained insight into Shenzhen’s open, inclusive, innovative and youthful urban spirit. Using their brushes and unique artistic visions, the artists created paintings that express friendship between China and the foreign countries.

Asian artists visit Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning earlier this month. Photo courtesy of the organizers

Pakistani artist Nadir Ali said that in Shenzhen he has seen innovation, technologies and the future. The artificial intelligence products, culture, music and the integration of modernity with cultural heritage at the museums provided him with a lot of inspiration for his creations. He said that he was also inspired by Shenzhen’s architecture and culture and hopes to combine elements of Chinese urban culture with Pakistani culture in his creations.

Three artists from Sri Lanka agreed that Shenzhen provided various forms of inspiration for their artistic creations, while artists from Cambodia expressed that by visiting exhibitions in Shenzhen, they could closely observe Chinese ink painting art, intending to incorporate ink techniques into their own painting styles to create innovative visual works.

A painting depicting Shenzhen by 12 Asian artists are on display at the “Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous — Asian Artists’ Field Trip to China” exhibition at Guan Shanyue Art Museum. Photos by Cao Zhen unless otherwise stated

Thai artist Tawee Kesa-Ngam said: “Everything in China, including nature, streets and future technologies, is fresh to me. As an artist, I am adept at sensing details in our lives, and hope to create works related to Shenzhen in the future, showcasing Chinese art to the world.”

Through this field trip, the Guanlan Original Printmaking Base has expressed its intention to invite Sri Lankan artist B.A. Sudath Abeysekara as a visiting scholar. Some of the Asian artists in this trip also said they would recommend exhibitions from Shenzhen to their countries.

A painting depicting Shenzhen by 12 Asian artists are on display at the “Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous — Asian Artists’ Field Trip to China” exhibition at Guan Shanyue Art Museum. 

Inaugurated in 2009, the “Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous — Artists’ Field Trip to China” is a key project of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation.

“The field trip project has played a positive role in fostering collaboration between China and the world under the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Cui Yinglan, a second-level inspector of the bureau.

A painting depicting Shenzhen by 12 Asian artists are on display at the “Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous — Asian Artists’ Field Trip to China” exhibition at Guan Shanyue Art Museum. 

Dates: Through Nov. 19

Booking: WeChat account “gsyart”

Venue: Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Futian District (关山月美术馆)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit F2