A display of Han Shu artworks (Chinese calligraphy-style ink paintings) is being held at the lobby of Christchurch City Council as part of Days of Ice events for this year’s Antarctic Season Opening. Bearing the Antarctic theme, the exhibits feature images of Penguins through unique artistic style together with porcelain artworks.
Chinese calligraphy and ink paintings share the same origin. In Han Shu art, a gist of calligraphy is extracted, transformed and exaggerated, and a balance is struck between concrete and abstract depiction. The contemporary fresh approach has placed traditional art forms in a global landscape.
The artworks on display were provided by Prof. Wang Xuyuan, Chief Director of Han Shu Art Center in Shanghai Normal University. Prof. Wang has been invited to showcase artworks in UNESCO as well as during the 40th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Beijing in 2017 and the Global Scientists Conference in Davos in 2018.
The display will last one week until Oct.18.
