Since its opening on September 23, the “All Rivers Run into the Sea – International Art Dialogue Exhibition of the China National Academy of Painting” New Zealand tour – Auckland station has welcomed friends who love Chinese painting art every day. Here, people appreciate the works, exchange artistic insights, learn about the latest changes in the Chinese art market, and also discuss a number of art collaborations.
The exhibition brings together three generations of artistic elites from the contemporary Chinese painting world, presenting a comprehensive range of art forms, including landscapes, figures, flowers and birds, calligraphy, and seal carving, to Auckland audiences through four sections: “Contemplating the Dao with a Clear Mind,” “The Myriad Forms of the World,” “The Splendor of the Four Seasons,” and “The Enduring Legacy of Metal and Stone.”
Maori artists from Rotorua visit art exhibition
During the exhibition, Maori artists from Rotorua visited the art exhibition .
The artists in the delegation had visited China multiple times, experiencing Chinese art firsthand at the Chengdu Nongyuan Art Expo Park. Their encounter with Chinese calligraphy and painting again in Auckland was particularly heartwarming. They showed great interest in Chinese calligraphy and seal carving, carefully examining the works and discussing the cultural connotations behind the brushstrokes and carving techniques. Both sides also exchanged views on bringing calligraphy to Rotorua, hoping for a deeper dialogue between Chinese calligraphy and Maori culture in Rotorua in the future.
Towards the end of the exhibition, the Maori friends, caught up in the moment, burst into song in the exhibition hall. Their heartfelt enthusiasm and joy filled the hall with warm laughter, allowing us to truly feel the power of art to transcend language and culture.
Channel 33 "Australia and New Zealand Frontline" interview
On October 1st, Mr. Zong Yuan, founder and chairman of the board of directors of Auckland International Art Space, was a guest on Channel 33’s “Australia and New Zealand Frontline” live broadcast program, and was interviewed on the theme of “Embracing Diversity: Let Chinese Art Meet New Zealand”.
The “All Rivers Run into the Sea – International Art Dialogue Exhibition of the China National Academy of Painting” New Zealand tour visited four cities: Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland, showcasing 59 paintings and calligraphy works by 59 artists, including works by Liu Wanming, president of the China National Academy of Painting, as well as important artists such as Yang Xiaoyang, Lu Yushun, Zhao Wei and Yu Wenjiang.
In the interview, Mr. Zong Yuan began by discussing the meaning of the four characters “海纳百川” (meaning “the sea embraces all rivers”), and talked with the host about the evolution of Chinese calligraphy and painting from traditional brush and ink to contemporary expression, the works in the exhibition that are worth appreciating, and the experiences and stories of the Auckland International Art Space in organizing two-way exchanges between Chinese and Singaporean artists over the years. He also shared his ideal vision of a “dialogue” between Chinese and Singaporean art.
"Magnificent Paintings: Appreciating Chinese Art Together" Art Appreciation Activity
On October 6th, during the National Day holiday, the “Exquisite Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy: A Shared Appreciation of Chinese Culture” exhibition was held at the Parnell Exhibition Center, marking the final art appreciation event of the exhibition. Representatives from Chinese-funded institutions in Auckland, covering sectors such as banking, airlines, and export companies, gathered in the exhibition hall to appreciate the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and painting. Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland China Cultural Centre, the organizer, reviewed the exhibition’s history, introduced key exhibits, and explained the significant role of promoting Chinese culture and art in Sino-New Zealand cultural exchange.
Mr. Zong Yuan, founder of the Auckland International Art Space, the organizer of the exhibition, started by discussing the impact of the exhibition on the local art market in New Zealand. He then provided an in-depth interpretation of the significance of the overseas dissemination of Chinese art for the next generation of overseas Chinese in recognizing and inheriting Chinese culture. He also expressed high hopes for Chinese enterprises to support the promotion of overseas culture as China’s economy grows stronger.
Following this, guests from Chinese-funded institutions took turns to speak. Representatives from the banking, aviation, and export trade sectors shared their unique experiences of encountering Chinese art in a foreign land, drawing on their companies’ development experiences in New Zealand.
Art knows no boundaries, and hearts resonate; ink connects the past and present, and emotions link China and the world. This appreciation event used art as a bond to reconnect Chinese-funded enterprises overseas with Chinese culture.
The exhibition, which lasted for half a month, successfully concluded on October 7th. This was one of the highest-level and most comprehensive Chinese art exhibitions presented in New Zealand in nearly two decades. From the grand opening at the Moon Festival to the elegant calligraphy and painting gathering in the rain during the Mid-Autumn Festival; from the appreciation of works by artists, students, and Chinese friends, to the warm visit and songs of the Maori artist delegation, and the discussions and exchanges with Chinese-funded institutions, this exhibition allowed Chinese ink and brush to sincerely meet with diverse cultures on the land of the South Pacific. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; thank you to every friend who attended, and thank you to the Auckland Chinese Cultural Centre and all parties for their support. The artistic journey continues.
Guest Remarks
“The 2026 ‘All Rivers Run into the Sea’ International Dialogue Exhibition of the China National Academy of Painting was held in New Zealand. This exhibition brought together artistic elites from three generations of contemporary Chinese painting. Divided into four sections—’Contemplating the Dao with a Clear Mind,’ ‘The Myriad Forms of Nature,’ ‘The Splendor of the Four Seasons,’ and ‘The Enduring Legacy of Seal Carving’—the exhibition comprehensively presented Chinese landscape painting, figure painting, flower-and-bird painting, calligraphy, and seal carving art forms in New Zealand. This is the highest-level and most comprehensive Chinese painting exhibition in nearly 30 years. This exhibition brought unique Eastern art aesthetics to the New Zealand art market and had a profound impact on the understanding of Chinese culture among overseas Chinese!”
—Mr. Zong Yuan, founder of Auckland International Art Space Museum
“Although this exhibition has ended, the inspiration and exchange brought by art will continue. We are delighted to bring outstanding works by artists from the China National Academy of Painting to Auckland, allowing local audiences to get closer to Chinese calligraphy and painting, experience the Eastern aesthetics and cultural spirit, enhance understanding and bring us closer together through art, and let different cultures appreciate and inspire each other in the process of exchange.”
—Mr. Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Centre
“Calligraphy and painting, as treasures of Chinese civilization, not only carry a five-thousand-year history but also witness the integration, mutual learning, and appreciation between China and the West. Thank you to the organizers for their meticulous arrangements.”
—Mr. Wang Yong, General Manager of China Construction Bank New Zealand
“The ‘All Rivers Run into the Sea’ art exhibition brings together the beauty of diverse cultures, building a bridge for artistic exchange between China and New Zealand in Auckland, allowing people to feel the power of inclusiveness, resonance, and creation.” This is the theme of this grand event.
—Mr. Guo Xiang, General Manager of Australia and New Zealand Region, China National Building Materials International New Zealand Co., Ltd.
“The China National Academy of Painting International Art Dialogue Exhibition has presented a high-level artistic feast for the people of New Zealand. We express our heartfelt gratitude and respect to the artists of the National Academy of Painting who contributed their excellent works to this exhibition!”
—Mr. Fu Jinzhi, Vice President of the New Zealand Chinese Calligraphers Association
“The exhibition of works by Chinese painters and calligraphers from the China National Academy of Painting in Auckland this time fully demonstrates the inheritance and innovation of outstanding traditional Chinese culture by modern Chinese painters and calligraphers. The beauty of lines and expressiveness of Chinese painting and calligraphy are perfectly presented.”
—Mr. Lei Shuqing, Vice President of the New Zealand Academy of Chinese Painting
“A very interesting show. Love it.”
—Neal Palmer, a contemporary painter from New Zealand
“Only immortals possess form, and the universe is infinitely beautiful.”
—Visiting scholar Ni Shoujie
“As a student of Professor Lu Yushun’s advanced studies class, I feel very proud to see the ‘All Rivers Run into the Sea’ exhibition in New Zealand! This exhibition demonstrates the cultural spirit of contemporary Chinese painting in upholding tradition and innovating, and going global. It allows people to deeply appreciate the diverse explorations of various artists in the academy in combining traditional brushwork with the spirit of the times. The four sections of the exhibition complement each other, not only vividly showing the magnificent scenery and cultural heritage, but also perfectly interpreting the unique charm of traditional Chinese art in cross-cultural dialogue.”
—Young painter Huo Yunqing
