Seven academicians with the British Royal Academy of Arts started to show their artistic works about modern China at the China Art Gallery here in Beijing Wednesday.
They are John Bellany, Paul Huxley, Allen Jones, David Mach, Ian McKeever, Brendan Neiland and Chris Orr. Their works on display ranging from oil paintings, prints to sculptures have a variety of styles with different techniques.
Since 2003, each academician has made a tour in China at the invitation of the Red Mansion Foundation, which is a non-profitable organization dedicating to the promotion of China-Britain cultural communication.
The academicians chose only what they are interested in, including the skyscrapers or neon lights of big cities, the traditional temples and constructions in urban areas, a tax driver in a small alleyway, or even a friendly smile of a Chinese farmer.
According to the organizer, the show employs the popular way of "site specific," which means the artists will work on what they see and feel in a place far from their home.
It is no doubt that what they express in their artistic works will be different from what the local people see in their motherland. In this way, the show will right reflect the difference between Chinese and British culture, thus highlighting the theme of maintaining cultural diversity.
Apart from the 12-day exhibition, the artists will also be invited to give lectures in the Central Academy of Fine Arts and exchange views on China's arts market with the Chinese counterparts.
The Red Mansion Foundation was founded in 2000 in London, with a view to promoting Britain-China cultural communication. At present, the foundation set up annual award for excellent students at the six top artistic schools in Britain, and also offers annual financial support to well-known British artists.
(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2005)
