On 6th June 2021, Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Auckland held the opening ceremony for Professor Yen-Chiao KUO’s Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition. The ceremony was attended by Abbess Manshin, Curator of FGY Art Gallery NZ; Venerable Juexi, Minister in Charge of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Christchurch; Mr Lintao Yu, President of the BLIA North Island Chapter; Ms Louisa Kuo, daughter of Professor KUO as well as Deputy President of the BLIA South Island Chapter; Ms Adele White, Chair of the Howick Local Board; artist David Lin, calligrapher Rex Young, friends of FGY and BLIA members.
Abbess Manshin shared that Professor KUO is a respected artist, his ink paintings were rich in details and demonstrate respect and understanding of nature. Venerable Master Hsing Yun has always supported the idea that art should be brought to life and that the joy of life should be spread throughout the world. Thus, FGY Auckland and Christchurch strive to construct a platform for people to connect with arts, as to purify one’s heart with beauty.
In her speech, Ms Louisa expressed that the exhibition at the FGY NZ fulfilled his father’s wish for a 100-year-old touring exhibition. She was grateful towards FGY Art Gallery to exhibit her father’s artworks so that her father’s paintings can once again appear in front of the public. She also shared that since migrated to New Zealand, her family has been showered with care and love by the Venerables and BLIA members. Ms Louisa was filled with joy and gratitude.
Ms Adele White also gave a speech at the opening ceremony. She was impressed to have such a professional and inspiring exhibition in Auckland. On behalf of the community, she appreciated the effort of the FGY Art Gallery and expressed it was the best arrangement to display the magnificent artwork at the Temple.
Later in her guided tour, using Professor’s painting Rustling of the pine tree, Louisa explained to the guests the artistic conception portrayed by the painting. Afterwards, the guests expressed their admiration for the exquisite manner in which Professor Kuo went about his work, and they claimed to have felt the peace and tranquillity of Mother Nature and the beauty of traditional Chinese art from the painting.
Later in the guided tour, Ms Louisa explained the painting Spring Tour in Taiwan depicts a family of four on an outing in early spring, a joyful scene with cherry blossoms and willow tree. In addition, the painting Autumn in Xiangdong is a masterpiece using the baking and dyeing technique, to paint the author’s mood using simple colours when returning to his hometown in Hunan.
Professor Kuo Yen-Chiao’s Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition will be held from 29th May to 27th June 2021. Welcome everyone to join us for the Winter Buffet on the Saturday, 26th June! It will be including inspiring guided tour of the Traditional Chinese Ink Painting Panting by Professor Yen-Chiao KUO and fabulous vegetarian morning tea buffet.