A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings debuts in the UK
The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the UK. “A MOMENT IN THE SONG”, an exhibition on China’s Song Dynasty paintings in the UK, organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and Zhejiang University, and supported by Europe-Asia Centre, was launched at Asia House, London on 23rd November. Chu Ziyu, Director General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, delivered a speech online. Mark Logan, British Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Private Secretary, H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Mick Davies PRBA, Chairman of the Royal Society of British Artists, Ambassador Piet Steel, Chairman of Europe-Asia Center and Ping Huang FRSA, President of the Zhejiang UK Association were invited to the opening ceremony and unveiled the exhibition. Present at the ceremony were Tony Devenish AM, GLA Member for West Central Councillor for Knightsbridge & Belgravia Ward, Li Liyan, Minister-Counselor of Culture Office in the Chinese Embassy in the UK and Ms. Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Brent since 2007.
Guests at the Opening Ceremony
President Ping Huang FRSA, British MP Mark Logan，Minister H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Chairman Piet Steel, and Chairman Mick Davies (Left to Right). Photo by Nouvelles d'Europe Zhu Ruoxi.
In collaboration with over 260 cultural and museum institutions at home and abroad, A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings has taken Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage 17 years to compile and publish 12,405 pieces (sets) of quality Chinese painting collections, including most of the extant “national treasure” paintings. They are the world’s most complete and most extensive collections of illustrated Chinese paintings to date. A Collection of Song Dynasty Paintings is now in the collection of over 100 overseas institutions, e.g., UNESCO, the Library of Congress, the US, the German National Library, the British Library, and the National Library of France.
Mark Logan, British Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Private Secretary, is visiting the exhibition.
In four sections: “A Scroll of Song Painting · a History of Thousands of Years”, “Diversified Paintings · Fascinating Brushwork”, “Multicolored World · Wonderful Seasons”, “Poetry of Ink and Wash · Abandon Ourselves to Nature” following the thread of thought and the medium of beauty, the exhibition shares the charm of Zhejiang culture and art in over 100 high-definition prints of Song paintings, depicting the elegant and vibrant life of the Song Dynasty in the landscape of ink and water, civil culture, lifelike birds, animals, fish and insects, unique plum, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemums. Meanwhile, the exhibition features the unique Song tea ceremony, incense art, flower arranging and guqin performance to the guests present in some interactive zones, such as VR film, exquisite Song-style costume display and cultural experience. This is a superb fusion of Song culture and A Collection of Song Dynasty Paintings in A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings.
Mick Davies PRBA, Chairman of the Royal Society of British Artists, is appreciating the works.
Chu Ziyu, Director General of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, is making a speech online.
Chu Ziyu, Director General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, expressed in his speech that art is the common language of the world, which “reflects everything by depicting the inner world and landscapes”. The beautiful scenery and enthusiasm of Zhejiang, just like paintings handed down from generation to generation, will always be presented to the world in the most graceful way.
H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, is making a speech.
In his opening remark, H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, said that A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings has transformed digital resources into books and exhibitions and invigorated Chinese cultural treasures, so it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the British people to view, to experience, and to get closer to the essence of traditional Chinese culture.
Mick Davies PRBA, Chairman of the Royal Society of British Artists, is making a speech.
Mick Davies PRBA, Chairman of the Royal Society of British Artists, stated in his opening remark that the Song Dynasty was recognized as the peak of Chinese aesthetics, literature, philosophy and science, and that the cultural heritage of the Song Dynasty is still an inseparable part of Zhejiang’s cultural life. The beautiful scenery and eternal charm of Zhejiang still fascinates and attracts citizens as well as people from all over the world.
Mark Logan, British Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Private Secretary, is making a speech.
Mark Logan, British Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Private Secretary, was present at the opening ceremony and said in his speech that he personally feels attached to China and had paid several visits to China. He is fascinated by the profound and extensive culture of China, especially the art of the Song Dynasty. He expressed his hope that A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings in the UK would help enhance the friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Piet Steel, Chairman of Europe-Asia Center, is visiting the exhibition.
Minister H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Minister-Counselor Li Liyan of Culture Office in the Chinese Embassy in the UK and their delegation are visiting the exhibition.
Mr. Chu Ting Tang OBE, Chairman of the London Chinatown Chinese Association（LCCA）(left) and Li Liyan, Minister-Counselor of Culture Office in the Chinese Embassy in the UK, is reading A Collection of Song Dynasty Paintings.
Highlights of the Exhibition
Present at the ceremony also included Dr. Sarah Cheang, Head of Programme, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Royal Academy of Arts, Simon Tanner, Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage, Head of Humanities, Faculty of Arts & Humanities, King’s College London, Dr. David Dibosa, Course Leader for MA Curating and Collections at Chelsea College of Arts at University of the Arts, London, Dr Kristen Schuster, Lecturer in Digital Curation, King’s College London, Lynton Talbot, MA Curating and Collections Senior Lecturer at Chelsea College of Arts, King’s College London, Amy Mei Yin Lam Poon, Board Director of Lang Lang International Music Foundation, Zhao Hua，President of Association of British Chinese Professors,,UK-based painter Zhang Huaicun and Li Mang The exhibition also attracted a large number of media. The journalists of Nouvelles D’Europe, Financial Times, CMG Europe, CGTN, Xinhua News，People’s Daily and China Daily Europe were present at the opening ceremony and conducted interviews live.
After the opening ceremony, the guests visited the exhibition and were amazed at the exhibition with the professional and vivid interpretation of the docent. They said that Song paintings and western art share much in artistic value and humanistic spirit though they are quite different. They are looking forward to the opportunity to visit Zhejiang and experience its beauty and culture and the charm of the Song.
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