Zhang Huaicun’s World Blossom – Solo Exhibition is showing in London
Hosted by the Royal Society of British Artists, British Chinese artist Zhang Huaicun's solo exhibition "Huaicun’s World Blossom" was started at Mall Galleries in London on July 11, attracting more than 300 people from all walks of life in China and the UK. This is the largest Chinese art exhibition in London after the pandemic, and it is also one of the celebrational events for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between China and the UK.
Alongside the display of 58 traditional Chinese ink paintings, 23 oil paintings and illustrations from her children’s books. Zhang Huaicun also set up a special booth to display a series of seals, ink pads, brushes, rulers, etc. that she used in her paintings, showing Chinese painting art from another dimension.
Mick Davies, president of the Royal Society of British Artists, said that Zhang Huaicun's paintings seem simple, but they are actually full of power. She is a vivid example of cultural exchanges between China and Britain, and an extraordinary ambassador. Davis presented Zhang Huaicun with the Royal Society of British Artists' Whistler Award in recognition of her artistic achievements and contributions to the Society. Zhang Huaicun also became the first Honorary Member of the Royal Society of British Artists to receive this medal.
Yu Peng, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, congratulated the organizers, the Royal Society of British Artists and Ms. Zhang Huaicun in his speech. He said that it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between China and the UK and the 5th anniversary of the first "Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation". The exhibition reflects the cultural spirit of "hope, family, harmony and health" proposed by Ambassador Zheng Zeguang in January this year, promoted by President Deng Zhuting of the London Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, and endorsed by the Queen.
The Royal Marsden Cancer Foundation Auden Jones OBE thanked Zhang Huaicun for donating the £28,000 pre-sale for the exhibition to the foundation and her sponsorship support for the foundation over the years. Zhang Huaicun also announced that all sales proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the foundation.
Many Chinese in the UK who came to visit said that the homeland scenes in Zhang Huaicun's paintings soothed their nostalgia. Guo Yue, a well-known wind musician living in the UK, stopped in front of several works to watch. He said to Zhang Huaicun: "These paintings bring me back to my time, my motherland and my hometown."
Her works have been exhibited across the world in places such as New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Tokyo, and collected by international organisations as well as private collectors. Zhang confidently estimated the sale of this exhibition "should be able to reach 70%". We later learned that within two days of the exhibition, 61 pieces of Zhang Huaicun's works had been sold, accounting for 60% of the total exhibits, which surprised Zhang. "I didn't expect to sell so much in one day," Zhang Huaicun was very moved by the spirit of Britain's dedication to charity.
Zhang Huaicun hopes to use the success of this solo exhibition as a new start after the pandemic, to drive more Chinese artists to visit the UK in the future, and to attract more and more British people to learn about Chinese culture.
About Huaicun
Huaicun Zhang, of the Tu Ethnic Minority, British Chinese, is a member of the Royal Society of British Artists. Huaicun’s traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy have been exhibited in Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, Tokyo, New York, Paris and other cities. Her works are collected by international organisations as well as private collectors.
She is also a prolific poet and writer, a member of the Chinese Writers’ Association. Her children’s literature include Pencil Tree, One Snowflake, The Oasis in My Heart, The Red House, On the Train of Autumn, Space of Freedom and Huaicun and Her Friends.
Listening to the Flower Bloom has been published in China and On the Train of Autumn won the Bing Xin Children’s Literature Award. Her translations of The Sun on the Tree, The Red Tiles, My Name is Bob and BBC Nation’s Favourite Poetry about Childhood are the titles of her other books.
Her illustrations in many of these books and her poetry selections and poems are greatly admired throughout the world.
Huaicun’s World, Blossom is showing at Mall Galleries from 12 – 23 July 2022.
blog comments powered by