On 31 May, Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Christchurch held the opening ceremony of the Harmony & Hue Oil Painting Exhibition, by Artist Gary Umali. Distinguished guests in attendance included the Curator of FGY Art Gallery New Zealand Abbess Manshin, General Manager of Air New Zealand‘s Christchurch Engine Centre Graham Jack, Chief of Friends of FGY Art Gallery Gayel Marquet, Artist Leonore Ashby and nearly 300 attendees.
This exhibition is the first solo showcase of Gregorio Gary Umali, who is originally from the Philippines. He works as a mechanical engineer at Air New Zealand, specialising in aircraft maintenance. A self-taught painter, Gary has won several art awards in the Philippines. His artworks often feature natural landscapes, inspired by the wide views he experiences as a recreational pilot.
In her speech, Abbess Manshin quoted the teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Founding Master of FGS: To cook delicious food, one must cook with heart. She remarked that this same spirit is upheld by the FGY Art Gallery, where every cup of coffee, every dish and every exhibition is presented with wholehearted dedication. Abbess also shared that Gary began painting at the age of three, revealing a natural talent and a continuation of past-life wisdom that brought warmth and inspiration to others in this life.
Artist Gary shared his fascination with the changing colours and forms of leaves. Through continuous creation, he finds moments of reflection and dialogue with the world. He introduced his painting of a V2500 aircraft engine, symbolising opportunity and gratitude. It commemorates the significant moment 17 years ago when he and 38 fellow Filipino aircraft engineers first arrived in New Zealand. Gary expressed heartfelt thanks to the team at FGY Art Gallery Christchurch and dedicated the exhibition to his family back home. Through this exhibition, he hopes visitors will feel a sense of connection with nature and experience inner peace.
General Manager Graham Jack shared a touching tradition that whenever a colleague leaves the department, Gary gifts them a hand-drawn caricature – a gesture that has become a cherished part of their workplace culture. He appreciates the warm and thoughtful gesture Gary brings to the team and expressed how proud he and his colleagues were to witness Gary’s success in presenting this exhibition.
Gayel Marquet, shared that she was deeply moved when she first stepped into the art gallery six years ago and has not missed a single exhibition since. She was delighted to see such a large turnout at the opening and was grateful that the occasion had introduced newcomers to this elegant space. She also praised Gary’s dedication in creating such an impressive collection of artworks while maintaining a full-time career.
The exhibition features breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand alongside warm recollections of the artist’s homeland in the Philippines. In addition to oil paintings, it also features pencil self-portraits paying tribute to his father and a former Philippine President. The Harmony & Hue exhibition will run for three months until August. The public are invited to experience the beauty of nature and the essence of life.