Confucius Institute at WKU to host exhibit of Chinese art

The Confucius Institute at WKU will host the grand opening Wednesday (March 22) of Exposing Chinese Culture to the World through Art, an exhibit by 13 Chinese painters and calligraphers who are the first cohort of Confucius Institute Distinguished Artist.

More than 60 pieces of art by Chinese artists such as Gao Shali will be on display March 22-May 31 at Helm Library, room 100.

More than 60 pieces of art by renowned Chinese artists such as Wang Meifang, Gao Shali, Zi Zhi, Liu Shuling and more will be on display at Helm Library, room 100.

The grand opening event will begin at 11 a.m. with demonstration booths followed by welcome and opening remarks at noon. The event will conclude at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The event is open to the campus community and the public.

The exhibition is the result of a trip in May 2016 when the CI at WKU led a group of 13 artists, curators and museum directors to China, through a partnership with the 798 Cultural and Creative Industry Investment Co., Ltd. in China. The mission was for the U.S. delegation to develop an understanding and ultimate appreciation of modern China, and the land where the contemporary Chinese art was and is produced and developed.

The group predicted that Chinese works of art would certainly go global through the artists’ intuitive expressions, and stated this trip was the beginning of a two-year exchange visit between the Chinese and American artists.

During that trip, the delegation met many painters and calligraphers, who were impressed with the work that the CI at WKU was doing. One year later, the CI at WKU has recruited the 13 members of the first cohort of Confucius Institute Distinguished Artist.

Exposing Chinese Culture to the World through Art will be on display through May 31.

About the Confucius Institute: The CI at WKU is a conduit of all that is China. These partnerships are far reaching that will not only create or advance research for faculty/staff, but offer research and internship opportunities for WKU students. Anyone interested in partnering with us or interested in creating programs, contact Terrill Martin at (270) 745-2530.

Contact: Terrill Martin, (270) 745-2530