On 9th October 2025, Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Auckland held the grand opening of the 9th Art Salon Session II, showcasing 700 artworks of diverse styles and themes by 100 artists. The ceremony was attended by Abbess Manshin, Curator of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery NZ; Superintendent Scott GEMMELL, NZP Director of Tamaki Makaurau Partnerships; The Very Reverend Anne MILLS, Dean of Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral; Shift Commander Inspector Anson LIN of Northern Communication Center; Chair Damian LIGHT and Deputy Chair Bo BURNS of the Howick Local Board; Deputy Director SUN Yi of the TECO in Auckland; The Reverend Ivica GREGUREC, Vicar of All Saints Anglican; senior journalist Farida MASTER; President Yulin KU and Advisor Lintao YU of BLIA North Island Chapter. More than 150 guests gathered to witness this vibrant celebration of art.
Curator Abbess Manshin expressed gratitude for the inspiration and teachings of the Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Abbess emphasised that art is the crystallisation of human emotion and wisdom, presented in many forms, and that true appreciation of art comes through heartfelt experience. The curator encouraged everyone to discover their inner potential, to brighten the world through creative expression, and to cultivate goodness through art by doing good deeds, speaking good words and thinking good thoughts. Abbess hoped the positive energy drawn from art would bring harmony and hope to society.
Artist Vjekoslav NEMESH presented his collection titled The Future is Bright as a tribute to the community. He expressed sincere appreciation to Abbess Manshin and the gallery team for creating an environment filled with light and kindness, allowing artists to create with joy and peace of mind. The collection was inspired by a live painting session at the Temple on New Year’s Day, during which he received a red packet from the Abbess containing Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy: Keep Going, The Future is Bright. These words became a powerful burst of energy, bringing him strength and hope. Many works in the series were completed at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, with the aim of inspiring faith in the beauty and promise of life.
Superintendent Scott GEMMELL remarked that Abbess Manshin is not only a friend and spiritual mentor to the police but also a practitioner of social cohesion. He praised Fo Guang Shan for planting seeds of harmony and consistently bringing the community together through meaningful action. He also expressed gratitude to the artists for their contributions to this collective artistic celebration.
The Very Reverend MILLS shared that the Holy Trinity Cathedral deeply values its longstanding interfaith relationship with the Temple. MILLS noted that this lasting friendship enables mutual support and learning, and creates opportunities to experience the resonance between faith and beauty.
Howick Local Board Chairman LIGHT thanked the Temple Team for once again organising such a meaningful and successful event. He admired the courage and passion of the participating artists, whose work communicates emotions and ideas across boundaries of language and culture, adding vibrancy to everyday life.
Artist representative William Robert BOYD reflected on how art helped him emerge from a difficult time and expressed heartfelt thanks to the Temple for providing a welcoming and respectful environment. He described the opportunity to exhibit and engage in such a setting as a rare honour.
Journalist MASTER expressed her gratitude to the Temple for providing an open and inclusive platform that unites the community. She highlighted the deep sense of connection and belonging fostered at the Temple, describing it as the heartbeat of the neighbourhood—a unifying force that brings together schools, police, artists and community to create a shared space of beauty, peace and harmony.
The Temple prepared a delightful array of vegetarian refreshments for the guests, which artists described as a feast of art in itself. The 9th Art Salon Session II will run until 22 November, with various live demos and workshops scheduled throughout the exhibition period. The public is warmly invited to participate and experience the warmth of artistic expression and the light of life, as harmony and hope continue to flourish in communities across New Zealand.