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Works by prominent 20th century Chinese artists will be on show at an exhibition entitled "Paris•Chinese Painting - Legacy of the 20th Century Chinese Masters" at the Hong Kong Museum of Art from tomorrow (June 20) until September 21. The exhibition will feature works by artists including Xu Beihong, Lin Fengmian, Pan Yuliang, Sanyu, Pang Xunqin, Zao Wou-ki, Chu Teh-chun and Wu Guanzhong.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the exhibition is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Musée Cernuschi and the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, and is supported by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. It is sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Private Banking and is one of the programmes of Le French May.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held today (June 19). Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, said that Le French May, which is now in its 22nd edition, has been one of the most prominent and long-standing international cultural exchange programmes in Asia. To mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations, the Hong Kong Museum of Art organised this large-scale Chinese painting exhibition in collaboration with renowned arts institutions in France such as the Musée Cernuschi, the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, the Musée d'Orsay and the Centre Pompidou. The exhibition is one of the major events commemorating the artistic exchanges between China and France, and the artworks on display reflect the close relations between the two nations dating back to the early 20th century.
Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the distinguished curators from museums in France and Hong Kong for putting together this mega exhibition, which will present the exquisite works of world-renowned Chinese painters who furthered their studies in France in the last century from a unique and innovative perspective.
Mrs Lam said that, as pioneers of the artistic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, the artists have contributed enormously to the blending of Eastern and Western painting skills in their artworks and showcased the distinctive beauty and charm of the two cultures.
She said she hoped to see more opportunities for arts collaboration and cultural exchange, as well as an even closer partnership, between Hong Kong and France in future.
Also officiating were the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Arnaud Barthélémy; the Director of the Musée Cernuschi, Mrs Christine Shimizu; the Curator of the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, Dr Eric Lefebvre; the Chairman of Le French May Board, Dr Andrew Yuen; the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr He Guangbei; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Miss Eve Tam.
Since the early 20th century, generations of Chinese artists have undergone training in oil painting and sculpture in France. In Paris, the capital of art and culture, they explored Western painting techniques and concepts. The exposure helped these artists to draw on both Chinese and Western cultures, and inspired them to create many stunning works of art. Their achievements resulted in a new artistic phenomenon in China. Featuring about 100 works including oil paintings, Chinese ink paintings, sketches, lithographs, sculptures and more, the exhibition will demonstrate the impact of European art on 20th century Chinese painting.
For further information on the exhibition, call 2721 0116 or visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts/en_US/web/ma/exhibition.html#03.
Ends/Thursday, June 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:13
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