Key Facts

• Venue: Art Galleries Europe London Gallery, 18 Maddox St, London W1S 1PL
• Dates: 15-17 February
• Works: 30-40 (see our Facebook page for a glimpse of the art)
• Style: traditional watercolours
• Opening: 2.30-5pm, Friday 15 February 2013
• RSVP: vivian@newlandpr.com

Overview

Coinciding with Chinese New Year celebrations, “East meets W1” is an exhibition hosted by the Chengdu Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries bringing the colour and beauty of one of China’s richest regions to London’s West End.

The exhibition features works of seven leading traditional artist from Sichuan province in South West China. Sichuan is known as China’s “Kingdom of Heaven” thanks to its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, has been a centre of wealth and prosperity in the Western China region for many centuries. Through this prosperity grew a vibrant culture of art and literature that lives on today.  East meets W1 brings an insight into this rich region through traditional and modern interpretations of “Sichuan style art”.

As well as beautiful landscapes from the Tibetan plateaux and areas of outstanding natural beauty such as Jiuzhaigou, these unique works are also a window into the culture of Chinese art and calligraphy. Often written as a poem, calligraphy is added to Chinese paintings of landscapes and portraits of flowers and animals adding an extra depth.

Artists and works

Zhang Ziqi

Zhang was born in 1943 and is Hui Ethnic Minority. He graduated from Sichuan Fine Arts School, continuing on to study at the China Central Academy of Fine Art. An award winning artist, he is currently Dean and Associate Professor of Painting at the Sichuan University College of Arts. His work the “Drunken Games of the High Drung” received the silver prize in the Second National Sports Art Exhibition, and “Ming and Qing Dynasties Sweet Nothings” won third prize in the Second National Chinese Painting Exhibition. “The Eternity of the Olympic Torch” won bronze in the Third National Sports Art Exhibition, and is in the International Olympic Committee Collection. His work “Musings of by British Travels” is the central piece for East meets W1.

On display are works: Musings of my British Travels, Lingnan Wind, Taking A Rest, Yi Minority Sisters, Empty Mountain Singing Green, and Mountain Child.

Chen Chengji

Chen was born in 1950 in Chengdu, Sichuan. He is a member of the Sichuan Association of Fine Artists, Sichuan Association of Calligraphers, secretary of the Chengdu Flower and Bird Painting Association, and currently teaches at the Sichuan Academy of Painting and Calligraphy. He has hosted major exhibitions in the National Art Museum of China in Beijing and the Beijing Contemporary Art Museum, as well as in cities across China including Wuhan, Shenzhen and Zhengzhou. His piece, “Image of Bamboo and Finches” was shown at the Beijing University Centennial Celebration of Painting and Calligraphy.

On display are works: Red Splendour, Wisteria, Bamboo, and Free Red.

Li Hui

Li was born in 1964 in Sichuan. She is a Sichuan Artists Association member, Sichuan Provincial Academy of Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Research Council member. Skilled at painting the natural world she has won first prize at the National Painting, Calligraphy and Photography Art Exhibition and won silver prize at the Second International Silk Festival Painting and Calligraphy Competition. She has held exhibitions at leading galleries in China and abroad, and has won attention from across Asia including Japan, South East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

On display are works: Beichuan Autumn Feeling, Mountain Residence, Rural Spring Dawn Picture, The Origin of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jiuzhai Dream, Immortal Trace of Jiuzhai, Beauty of Jiuzhai, and Portrait of a Beauty.

Liu Xiaoping

Liu was born 1949 in Chongqing and graduated from Sichuan Fine Arts School. She is a member of the China Fashion & Colour Association, a member of the Chengdu Fine Art Association, and a teacher of painting at the Sichuan Sihai Art Academy. In 2008 she took part in a national art project involving 36 well known Chinese artists to create 63m scroll, “Image of Peace”.  This painted scroll was a gift from Sichuan Province to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Organising Committee. In 2009, she created “National Treasure Panda” painting in collaboration with Chengdu Art Association – Sichuan being the home of China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda.

On displace are works: Paradise 1, Paradise 2, Buds, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Tibetan Mastiff on a Snowy Field.

Liang Hong

Liang was born in 1961 in Yunnan Province and is of the Qujing Minority.

She has long been engaged in the culture industries and art management.

Her art is a passion and she is particularly skilled in traditional painting of flowers and birds with abstract influences. Her works have been exhibited at Sichuan Province and Chengdu fine art exhibitions.

On display are her works: Autumn Helenium, Lotus Charm, and Portrait of a Beauty.

Ren Guangrong

Ren was born in 1945 in Chengdu, Sichuan. She is a member of the American Academy of Overseas Chinese Arts, a member of the America- Asia Art Association, and visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a master of light landscapes, gardens and travelling scenes. She has worked with the American Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Society and the US-China Art Gallery. Ren has hosted more than 28 exhibitions of her works during her U.S. travels in San Francisco and New York. She makes regular presentations at the University of California, Berkeley, on traditional Chinese art techniques and comparative art studies.”

Some of her finest works were commemorated in a stamp collection printed by the China Post & Telecom Press in 2012.

On display are her works: Blossom Covered Jinguan, A Monk Visits a Hut (Inspired by work of Tang dynasty poet, Li Shangyin), Drunk Like Autumn Gold, 10 Dreamless Years Must Return Home, Chrysanthemum Spring Blossoms, The Love of a Thousand Homes is Cultivated by Rain.

Mi Jinming

Mi is from Sichuan Province in Rong County. He graduated from Sichuan Fine Arts School Painting Department in 1987. An excellent etcher, his award winning works have been shown around the world. His ink work “Buddha’s Lock” was entered in the 2007 “Ministry of Culture 14^th Stars Awards for Fine Art, Calligraphy, and Photography Exhibition,” winning the top award. In 2008 it was exhibited at the Third Beijing International Fine Arts Biennial Exhibition.

On display are his works: Old Person Reaching for a Baby, Old Person of the Yi Ethnic Group, Man of Tibet, Early Spring, and Elegant Woman

AUM

Art director Michelle Shimin Yu first established ‘BELLO ANN’ in 2005 with an intriguing background in Economics and Accounting, while AUM came in to force last year. Stemming from the classical simplicity of traditional Buddhist concepts, AUM’s A/W collection explored the theory of formlessness through garments which displayed a delightful balance between fluidity and weight. For S/S13 the brand continues to explore Buddhist theory in design, illustrated through creative strands ranging from a monastic palette to an over-arching relaxed ethic preaching simplicity of mind – all with a decidedly high fashion finish.

This pursuit of traditional simplicity translates perfectly for the urban experience, through an elegant yet effortless silhouette. With an evident understanding of Chinese culture and European fashion, AUM delivers a taste of the orient suitable to all palates.

Jixiangzhai (Mascot)

From opening its first store in 2002, “Mascot” has quickly established itself as a major label, with over 90 franchise stores across China. With the graceful modern woman in mind, chief designer Yang Fan utilizes the rich culture of her traditional skills-set through contemporary designs integrating a unique focus on design and manufacture. A feminine focal point, sophistication and elegance are key to the brands aesthetic, while stores offer VIP shopping along with fashion and lifestyle consultancy – creating the ultimate experience in graceful dressing.

Toying with the charm of the orient, the Mascot woman perpetuates the heritage of China’s tapestry of culture, without sacrificing a modern feel.

Register for 100%Design 2012 now by clicking the link below

http://tinyurl.com/bw4cnqd

Don’t miss out the re-launch of the UK’s most important design trade event whose registration have just gone over 50,000.

100% Design 2012
Earls Court 2
London SW5 9TA

1000-1900, Wednesday 19 Sept
1000-2100, Thursday 20 Sept
1000-1900, Friday 21 Sept
1000-1700, Saturday 22 Sept

As Fashion Shenzhen comes to London for the fifth year running, we look at the amazining city behind the brands:

Shenzhen is a young city whose history started a mere 33 years ago. Shenzhen is home to the most advanced sectors of the fashion industry in China. Shenzhen is where there is the biggest concentration of Chinese fashion brands and manufacturers.

Shenzhen is well-positioned to be China’s ‘fashion and creative capital’ and is leading the way in China for research, development and design in the fashion sector:

• Over 3,000 garment manufacturers.
• More than 800 local brands.
• There are around 350,000 people employed in the industry.
• And last year, Shenzhen sold world-wide 8.9 billion US dollars worth of garment products.
• For every 10 clothing items on sale in high street department stores in Chinese major cities, 5 to 6 are made in Shenzhen.

Shenzhen is a young city.

Just 32 years ago Shenzhen was a tiny fishing village. The transformation into an advanced modern metropolis is a most telling example of how China has been transformed by the reform and opening-up strategy.

The phenomenal growth of Shenzhen has been driven by the strength, energy and spirit of a young population. In turn from that youth a creative zest has flourished and thus creativity is always the defining character of Shenzhen.

This has produced a powerful foundation for fashion to evolve. The result is a fast developing global centre in Shenzhen of new exciting brands and design.

Shenzhen is a tireless pioneer.

Here was the first part of China to open to the outside world over 30 years ago. Shenzhen has always been a trail blazer for China. The result of that pioneering means Shenzhen is at the forefront of China’s economic reform.

In China this leadership is recognized as ‘Shenzhen Speed’! This speed of development and incredible growth are the hallmarks of the city.

It is in Shenzhen that the Chinese people were first exposed to the fashions and dressing styles in the West. In turn Shenzhen absorbed these trends and spread these global fashion influences across China.

Shenzhen is advancing as highly cosmopolitan city.

Shenzhen is now an international city of migrants.

Its people come from all over China and many parts of the world. Here, eastern and western cultures and ideas blend and inspire each other. It is now a melting point of creativity that has formed a diverse and unique Shenzhen culture.

Nicknamed as ‘Wizard of Industrial Design’, Shi took part in design and manufacture of China’s first household refrigerator, shaver, and electric fan. His designs have received international acclaim. He founded A-One Research Centre in GIDC, which has been jointly established by four of China’s most influential industrial design academies.

In 1987 he graduated from the Centre Academy of Arts and Crafts, Beijing. Shi Zhenyu is a design giant in China. He has won many national and international awards, including the China Red Star Design Award and the Blue Moon Award, USA.

SUIT-HB Office Chair

The Synchro-Tilting Mechanism of this office chair provides efficient support for the hip, knee, ankle bone and scapula. The unique ergonomic design of the suspension seat surface can be adjusted in all directions as needed for enhanced comfort and freedom.

Xie graduated in furniture design from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.  He is now working in the Institute of Furniture Design at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.

The Circle Chair

The circle chair is inspired by traditional Chinese characters. These form the basis for the circulating lines that appear in the design.

Kong was born in Nanhai, Guangdong in 1989. In 2011-2012 she joined the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts Furniture Design Studio.

In 2012, she joined the ranks of the Furniture Association of Guangdong Province’s “Excellent League Members”. Currently she works at Beijing ACF furniture design Company.

Screen

The contemporary derived from traditional Chinese furniture. “Screen” is a new material design. Through the use of science and technology, bark and mesh has been combined to create a stunning weave. “Screen” is the ultimate combination science with nature, integrating flawlessly the natural irregular shape of the teak.

Zhang a lecturer at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts is the designer of “My First Armchair”. This uniquely interactive piece provides entertainment and education for children.

My First Armchair

This chair is inspired by traditional Chinese round-backed armchair. The structure of the chair is easy to take apart. This unique design allows children to explore the structure of the chair by individual exploration.

The Hard-Soft Chair

A demonstration of the beauty of simplistic design, the Hard-Soft chai focuses on the comination of these sensations. The hard wood combined with the soft of the seat in the simplistic frame provides an artistic functionality.

Known as Japan’s national treasure, since 1969 Kita has extended his creative field from Japan to Italy and to the international arena. As an environmental and industrial designer he has created many hit products for European and Japanese manufacturers. These range from furniture, LCD TV sets, and robots to household goods and appliances.

Many of his works are possessed by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, and other museums around the world.

In recent years, he has been promoting education. He holds seminars and workshops not only in Japan, but also in Europe and Asia.

Kita continues to be involved in his lifelong devotion to working with traditional crafts and developing local industries.

Mega point

A new concept chair, introduced for worldwide household use. It is the foremost example of Minerva technology and the Mega point brand.

Above ground, digital broadcasting brings exceptional images and sound into households, and modern living rooms are becoming home theatres. This chair is brought to the market to emulate this quality, through comfort and design. Combined with the leather used on the arms and reclining lever, the end result is in a high quality feel.

HOTEI – Personal chair

Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant, today is considered a nuisance. This is because it can invade lakes and rivers in a very short time, due to quick growth. Nevertheless, Toshiyuki Kita was inspired by a few of its peculiarities. From this he designed furnishings, to promote water hyacinth as the new material of the future. In the same way of bamboo and other natural elements, this plant can be perfectly employed to produce environmentally friendly furnishings.