The 2024 "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" art exhibition kicked off at its first stop at the Gallery of New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington on September 20. The exhibition was hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, China International Culture Association (CICA), and Embassy of China in New Zealand, and organized by China Academy of Art (CAA) and CAA Art Museum. Minister Counselor of the Embassy of China in New Zealand Ye Su, President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, the Swiss Ambassador to New Zealand, Hungarian Ambassador to New Zealand and Mexican Ambassador to New Zealand, attended the opening ceremony.
Ye Su, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of China in New Zealand, Chris Lipscombe, President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, Xia Shangzhou, Vice Curator of CAA Art Museum, Zhang Jie, representative of the Chinese artists' community and professor at CAA, and Kate McLeod, representative of the New Zealand artists' community addressed the event.
Ye Su said that since 2009, hundreds of artists from nearly 100 countries have participated in "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" visits to China for inspiration and artistic creation, which were organized by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He emphasized that this year marks the 10th anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping's visit to New Zealand and is an important year for the strengthening of relations between China and New Zealand. The exhibition showcases the artworks of artists from nearly 100 countries. It is an important international platform for artistic exchange, contributing to the fostering of cultural exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Western cultures as well as mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and New Zealanders. It injects new momentum to drive the healthy development of bilateral relations.
In his speech, Chris Lipscombe reflected on the history of the Silk Road and emphasized its historical role in spreading Buddhism, establishing trading routes and facilitating cultural exchange. He highlighted the similarities between the ancient Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative, as both reveal the importance of cultural collaboration and the importance of strengthening international collaboration in order to tackle global challenges.
Xia Shangzhou noted that when artists bring their artistic experiences to China, the colors of different cultures blend on this land, making every gathering a bold brushstroke in the picture of cultural and artistic exchange that the exhibition aims to paint. He expects the event to further strengthen the cultural exchange, friendship and collaboration between China and New Zealand as well as other countries.
Prof. Zhang Jie shared the outcomes of the cultural and artistic exchange at the 2023 inaugural Liangzhu Forum. As a language of silence, art has contributed widely to boosting international artistic exchanges and driving cultural partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative. It plays an extremely important role in driving the development of global culture ahead. He called for artistic efforts to build a hub for global cultural exchange and pave the way for a Renaissance in the new era.
At the end of 2023, the "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" exhibition was held as a significant component of the inaugural Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, China. The exhibition featured artworks by 84 artists from 83 countries, which conveyed passion and friendship.
2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand. The deep friendship between the two countries is built upon many common values: respect for the natural environment, inclusiveness towards diverse cultures, a commitment to innovation and creativity, and a shared aspiration for world peace. These values form the DNA of Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous. The artworks in this "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" exhibition were inspired by natural landscapes and cultural landmarks. The artists used their unique artistic languages to transform their observations, reflections, and insights into diverse artistic expressions and experiments. In the course of traversing lucid Waters and lush mountains, living harmoniously amidst diverse peoples, and singing along the Silk Road, the artists depicted a contemporary tapestry of cultural exchange and mutual learning.
This exhibition brings together works from previous "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" events, along with the creations by distinguished Chinese and New Zealand artists. Sixty-three works of calligraphy and paintings by 60 artists from 33 countries, including New Zealand and China, are on display. The exhibition is on show in Wellington from September 20 to October 5. It will be held in Auckland, the biggest city in New Zealand, from October 25 to November 25.
