Jingchu Charm Meets the South Pacific | "Hubei Friends in Painting" New Zealand-China Artist Exchange Exhibition Concludes Successfully

On July 28th, the “Friends of Hubei Enter the Painting” art exchange exhibition, co-organized by the Auckland Chinese Cultural Center, the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts, and the Auckland International Art Space, officially opened at the Auckland International Art Space.

Using art as a bond, the exhibition brought together over 30 works of calligraphy, landscapes, flower-and-bird paintings, and oil paintings from the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts, presented alongside works by New Zealand artists. This exchange and dialogue between Chinese and Western art in the same space presented a diverse visual experience and a unique cultural encounter, bringing a high-level international art event to Auckland.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Zhou Li, Cultural Consul of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, Mr. Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Center, Mr. Mike Dawson, National Chairman of the New Zealand China Friendship Association, and Mr. Zong Yuan, Chairman and Manager of the Auckland International Art Space, delivered speeches in succession, highly praising the positive significance of this exhibition in promoting cultural exchanges between China and New Zealand.

Mr. Zong Yuan, Chairman and Manager of Auckland International Art Space, introduced the works of New Zealand artist FLOX to Mr. Li Heqing of Hubei Academy of Fine Arts

Opening guest speech

Mr. Zhou Li, Cultural Consul of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, delivered a speech

Mr. Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Center, delivered a speech

Mr. Zong Yuan, Chairman and Manager of Auckland International Art Space, delivered a speech

Mr. Mike Dawson, National Chairman of the New Zealand-China Friendship Association, delivered a speech

The event was attended by over 70 people including Consul Lou Boqian of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, renowned New Zealand artist Jamie Boynton, guests including SWEATS & FLOX, as well as Auckland cultural figures, media representatives and art lovers.

Opening Ceremony Highlights

At the beginning of the opening ceremony, New Zealand sculptor Natanahira Poona blessed the exhibition in the traditional Maori way, implying that this cultural exchange would be smooth and successful, and expressing his best wishes for the long-lasting friendship between China and New Zealand.

New Zealand sculptor Natanahira Bonner prayed for the exhibition

Academic lectures were held during the exhibition, covering the topics of calligraphy and landscape painting.

Mr. Li Heqing from Hubei Academy of Fine Arts talks about “Writing a Millennium Civilization: The History and Spiritual World of Chinese Calligraphy”

Mr. Li Heqing, a first-class artist at the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts, took the title of “Writing a Millennium of Civilization – The History and Spiritual World of Chinese Calligraphy” and systematically introduced the historical context and cultural connotation of Chinese calligraphy, focusing on the evolution of calligraphy styles, aesthetic principles, calligraphy methods and calligraphy appreciation, allowing the audience to deeply feel the profound heritage and spiritual value of calligraphy art.

Mr. Liu Xiulin from Hubei Academy of Fine Arts talks about “The Inheritance and Development of Chinese Landscape Painting”

Mr. Liu Xiulin, director of the Chinese Painting Creation Studio of Hubei Academy of Fine Arts and a second-level artist, took the theme of “Inheritance and Development of Chinese Landscape Painting” and introduced its development and innovation in composition, brushwork and artistic conception by displaying representative works of landscape painting from different periods.

New Zealand artists SWEATS & FLOX share their experiences and works in China

Then New Zealand artists SWEATS & FLOX introduced their experience of participating in the China-Singapore art exchange at the Shenzhen Cultural Expo and their personal creative characteristics.

New Zealand artist Jamie Boynton introduces his creations in Beijing

Mr. Jamie Boynton recounted the creation process of his 17-meter-long mural, “The Call from Afar,” in Beijing, sharing the cultural connections and emotional bonds between China and Singapore embodied in the work.

During the interactive exchange session, the audience enjoyed close-up views of the works by artists from both countries and discussed their creative philosophies face-to-face. The “Ink Treasures Interaction” presented by Mr. Li Heqing and local Chinese calligrapher Mr. Fu Jinzhi attracted a large audience, allowing them to experience the unique charm of Chinese calligraphy amidst the rich aroma of ink.

This exhibition not only presented outstanding works of art with both artistic and cultural significance, but also established a deeper platform for communication between Chinese and Singaporean artists, promoting continued cooperation and development in artistic creation and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Opening Ceremony Highlights

New Zealand artists SWEATS&FLOX explain their works to Mr. Li Heqing of Hubei Academy of Fine Arts

Mr. Li Heqing of Hubei Academy of Fine Arts presented a Chinese calligraphy work to Mr. Mike Dawson, National Chairman of the New Zealand-China Friendship Association

Mr. Mike Dawson, National Chairman of the New Zealand-China Friendship Association, presented works of art to New Zealand artists on behalf of the New Zealand organizers.