Besides providing an exhibition platform for artists, Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Christchurch also interacting with locals through artworks and exhibitions. For over a decade, local and international artists have exhibited in this gallery and received favorable comments from the visitors. On the 2nd and 3rd December, three local artists, Lance Kerr, Jen Hung and Natalie Dybova came to discuss for an exhibition opportunity and artwork consignment in the gallery. They are all welcomed by gallery’s public relations, Ryan Wang.
Lance Kerr, an artist from West Coast South Island, accompanied by his Japanese wife, Hiroe Lance to discuss the exhibition opportunity in this gallery. Lance used to lives in Christchurch before the earthquake. He was a regular customer to Waterdrop Cafe and always visited the gallery. Although he had moved to West Coast, Christchurch is still in his heart. He occasionally returned to his former residency place and visited the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island temple to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. Lance was an art lover, recently created some Japanese style ink paintings and specially brought them to the gallery for an exhibition review process. Lance is a Buddhist and with his wife influenced in Japanese Zen Buddhism, his paintings creation expressed the calmness of Zen. Beside ink paintings, he also uses acrylic in his paintings as well.
Jen Hung, is a jade carving artist which also from West Coast South Island. She is originally from Taiwan and graduated from Greymouth Polytechnic Institute in West Coast. She had won the National Award in Rock and Mineral Association Gold Award for Carving. She has studied art history and has a profound interest in various countries art and culture but she still proud of her Chinese culture. Jen uses greenstone from the West Coast as carving material by combining both Chinese and New Zealand culture to create a unique artwork. For Example, the pendant designed combine the Chinese archway and the NZ’s silver fern plant which favor by New Zealand’s public. Jen often travels to Christchurch with her kiwi husband for work trip. They will arrange their side trip to the temple’s Waterdrop cafe to enjoy their delicious vegetarian food and visit the art gallery for inspiration. She hopes with her unique jade carving artworks can be display in this gallery to share with Christchurch’s residents. Hence, the locals can learn about Chinese culture through her artworks.
Natalie Dybova, an artist originally from Russian which accompanied by friend Peter, came to discuss consignment of her artworks in FGY art gallery. Natalie uses oil painting for her artworks creation. she been trained with traditional oil painting and her creative concept is influenced by the Italian Renaissance. Natalie’s creative themes include botanical art, sketching, landscape painting, etc. Her original paintings are lifelike, delicate and soft feeling. Which makes the visitors feel comfort while viewing, her paintings are so popular which been sold to many countries like Russia, Australia and New Zealand.