Dubai: The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation launched a Chinese Cultural Week in Dubai on Monday night in collaboration with China's Ministry of Culture under the theme ‘Guangdong Foshan Ceramics and Modern Painting Show'.
The event was inaugurated by the secretary-general of The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Abdul Hamid Ahmad, who is also editor-in-chief of Gulf News, and GAO Youzzhen, general counsel of the Chinese Consulate in Dubai. A number of Chinese officials were in attendance during the ceremony.
Thursday is the last day of the exhibition.
Dr Mohammad Abdullah Al Mutawa, a member of the board of trustees of the foundation, welcomed the Chinese cultural delegation: "The foundation makes sure to regularly organise and host such cultural fora where people can get the opportunity to recognise and interact with international literature and art."
The exhibition brings together a number of top Chinese artists who have contributed hundreds of contemporary paintings bringing to life myriad aspects of the country. The exhibition also includes some astonishing ceramic creations and sculptures.
The displayed creations have tried to draw on subjects as diverse as peace, challenges, purity, nature and the historic role of Chinese women. The cultural event is aimed at strengthening the longstanding ties of friendship and understanding between China and Dubai.
The artistic pulse of China is being expressed through the visions of Foshan-born artists such as Chen Hui, Lin Min and Jian Xizhao and the artists willingly shared their perspectives on art with Gulf News. Hui, for example, is showcasing three paintings immortalising the spirit of China.
"My paintings are inspired by the Chinese rhythm of life and that's seen in what I call ‘Dwelling Houses near Tashihungpo Monastery'. This painting reveals a lot of the design of Chinese houses and the Tibet style," he said.
"While the rest are an obvious reflection of my attachment to nature, ‘Deep in Bamboo Forest' holds a message to save the environment. I [am] also showing the harvest season through ‘Autumn Fruit' which encapsulates the message that patience always brings fruitful results."
Hui says he admires the artistic perspectives of Van Gogh and Picasso.
Lin Min has conceptualised spirituality in a sculpture of three women praying for peace.
‘Snowy Region Soul-Mount Sainte' symbolises the degree of purity of the Tibetan people, she told Gulf News.
Lin Min graduated as a sculpture major from Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in 1990 and currently heads the Hongbaoyao Ceramic Art Research Institute. She readily admitted that Dubai's rapid development had fascinated her. "Dubai has it all, and it's the best place to approximate the points of views among cultures. It's globally considered the most attractive destination: that's why a number of Chinese people are choosing Dubai to live and work in," she said.
The sculptor also collaborated with Jian Xizhao in a sculpture called ‘Breakthrough' made of cast copper, which tries to convey the spirit of challenge through soccer players.
"Art has the universal language [that] allows people to express themselves unsophisticatedly," said Jian Xizhao, the president of Foshan Sculpture Academy, who is showcasing two cast copper sculptures named ‘Full Moon' and ‘Floating'.
The three artists have never been to Dubai before, "Indeed, this is our first visit where we [were] received with a warm welcome."
The activities of the opening day concluded with traditional Chinese performances, presented by the Sichuan ‘Beauty & Melody' Chinese Modern Folk Music Group.
Chinese Cultural Week schedule:
Chinese film introduction and film show "Chuncao & her Mother" on Tuesday at 7:00pm
Seminar: Politics & Culture Relations between the United Arab Emirates and China lectured by GAO Youzzhen, General Counsel of Chinese Consulate in Dubai and Professor Xue Qingguo, Beijing Foreign Studies University. On Wednesday at 7:00pm
The final day will present the famous highlights of China Peking Opera at 7:00pm
Location: Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Foundation, Al Rigga Road, Deira.
How much do you know about Chinese culture? How do such events enhance the culture scene in the UAE? Will you be attending any of the events?
