“Connecting the River and Sea – Exhibition of the Art Museum of West Taihu Lake of Changzhou in Macau” was Opened in CityU

Organised by City University of Macau and sponsored by Macao Foundation, the opening ceremony of “Connecting the River and Sea – Exhibition of the Art Museum of West Taihu Lake of Changzhou in Macau” was successfully held on 20 October at the University Culture Centre.

Deputy Mayor of Changzhou People's Government Fang Guo Qiang, Assistant of Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Culture of LOCPG Shao Bin, Vice Chairman of Administrative Committee of Macao Foundation Executive Zhong Yi, Director of Changzhou West Taihu Lake Science and Technology Zone (WEZ) Dai Zhi Hua, Deputy Director of WEZ Zhu Jia Li, Vice General Manager of Changzhou Xitaihu Tourism Devlopment Limited Company Chen Jian Fu, Curator of the Art Museum of West Taihu Lake Zhang An Nuo, renowned artist Liu Chan, original Deputy Curator of National Museum of China and Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of National Museum of China Chen Lu Seng, President of the Macao Artist Association Lai Ieng, Vice Chairman of University Council and Distinguished President of Macau Calligraphy Academy Ung Choi Kun, Vice Chairman of University Council Yan Zexian, Rector Shu Guang Zhang and Director of the Research Centre for Arts Education Sun Jiang Tao attended the opening ceremony. Director Sun, Director Dai and Director Chen all gave a speech for the ceremony.

In Director Sun Jiang Tao’s speech, he stated that the current exhibition is a continuation of the joint exhibition with the Art Museum of West Taihu Lake of the 8 artists from Jiangsu and Macau in 2016. Apart from professional knowledge, the university is always concerned about nourishing the integrated skills of students through the inheritance and education of Chinese culture. Through organising exhibitions and other approaches, the Research Centre for Arts Education will keep on creating a diverse exchange platform for teachers and students and advocate the academic connection of arts and culture between Macau and other regions.

Director Dai Zhi Hua stated that the Art Museum of West Taihu Lake is a significant cultural landmark in Changzhou. As a crucial aspect of the creative industries ecosystem of Changzhou, the Liu Haisu and Xia Yiqiao Art Museum, Chen Lusheng Art Museum, Museum of Oil Lamps and Changzhou West Taihu Lake Creative Base of the Chinese Painting Institute form the largest and most exquisite art museum district of the highest standard. Changzhou has always been called “Picturesque Jiangnan” which Macau is named “Garden of the Ocean”. With the cultural exchange and advancement of the two cities, the outcome must be fruitful.

Director Chen Lu Seng noted that the spectacular exhibition does not only bring a visual feast to the teachers and students, it is also a gateway for the community and art lovers to understand the culture of Changzhou. After the ceremony, Director Chen also spoke at a seminar entitled “The History of Oil Lamps in 5000 Years of Civilisation” and shared his experience and opinions on the collection, appreciation, development and usage of oil lamps from a research perspective.

It is the first time for the Art Museum of West Taihu Lake of Changzhou to exhibit in Macau. The exhibition has showcased around 50 works of traditional Chinese painting, watercolour and calligraphy in which the authentic work of modern master and art educator Liu Haisu can be found. It is hoped that the exhibition will advocate the cultural exchange and friendship of the two cities.