On October 2021, the New Zealand government announced the extension of covid alert level three, calling on the public to maintain social distancing and keeping restrictions on large gatherings. In order to show support to local artists, promote New Zealand art and culture while also maintaining the strict compliance with the government’s Covid policies, Fo Guan Yuan Art Gallery Auckland moved the 5th Art Salon originally scheduled to be held at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland in November to an online platform in order to support local artists.
The Art Salon organising team, under the leadership of the curator Abbess Manshin, has been preparing for the exhibition intensively; from setting up the website, web design, exhibition platform selection, artist information collection, marketing promotion and many more. The President of BLIA North Island Lintao Yu and Sub-chapter 2 committee Nick Young provided technical support and contributed many ideas in multiple aspects. 72 local artists also actively participated in the discussion and offered constructive suggestions for the preparation of moving into an online exhibition.
Curator Abbess Manshin encouraged BLIA members to continue serving the society in any way they can during this challenging time. Even though the pandemic has caused instability, preparing the Art Salon online exhibition for local artists will still go on.
“When FGY Auckland starts its online exhibition, it can later be promoted with the exhibitions in FGY Christchurch in the future. Excellent software designs from all over the world can be shared and used globally via the internet. The concept of wisdom and innovation is combined with the global village trend to serve the public together. Only when we work as a collective, we can be strong.” shared by the Abbess Manshin.
The invitations for the online exhibition sent out by FGY Auckland received enthusiastic responses from the participating artists. Ian Anderson, a New Zealand painter, said that the innovation and professionalism showed by FGY Art Gallery Auckland delighted him and was very convenient. He hopes that more local art galleries would offer online exhibitions in the future.
Caroline Burton, a textile artist, thanked the Temple for its support, saying that the online art salon was a grand gathering of diverse local arts and culture, and she felt honoured to be participating.
Painter Sherrill Bentley said, “Online exhibition is a brilliant idea. Thanks to the preparation of FGY Auckland Art Gallery, I am looking forward to it.” Abbess Manshin, the curator, hopes that visitors looking at the online exhibition can enlighten their hearts through art, awaken the consensus in their hearts, and establish a communication platform through art.
The 2021 Art Salon will launch online from November 1 through to December 5, and the public is welcome to join local artists to witness the Fifth Art Salon hosted online for the very first time.