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Gualala Arts
Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961.
Archive of past events: 2004 through 2014
China, Past and Present
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
China has now become a leading country on the art scene, not only in its architecture and its fine art, but as a strong collector by private parties. In assembling this show, it became apparent that modern concepts would be a necessary ingredient in creating a profile of China in the contemporary world. One of the traditional artists in the exhibit is Jane Ma Leung, a graduate of National Taiwan University, presently living in Las Vegas, NV. Mrs. Leung's brush painting techniques have won awards in many exhibits, and teaching positions in multiple locations. The exquisite brush rendition of bamboo, a favorite subject, and one of shrimp, will be excellent examples of an art that incorporates years of dedication and an adherence to ancient techniques.
Dr. Leping Zha, a physicist of San Mateo, CA, has made fine art landscape photography his second profession. His annual trips to the Yellow Mountains in China reflect in photography the subjects incorporated in the ancient paintings of Chinese art.
A more modern example, with early elements of Chinese art, is fashioned
from clay into the stoneware pots of Sophia Lenz.
Born in Hong Kong,
raised in Vietnam, and emigrating to the United States at age 15,
Sophia still continues her art education, which influences her
creations in clay.
China, Past and Present will be an eclectic show of painting, sculpture, weaving, ceramics, furniture, jewelry and fabric, accompanied by visuals of the Chinese Temple in Mendocino. It is hoped that through the arts there can be a cultural and philosophical understanding of the people whose creations reflect their place in time. Accompanying this exhibit, Gualala Arts will present a Chinese Six-Course Dinner on Friday, April 25, 2008. On Monday, May 5, the Gualala Arts Lecture Series will host Lynne and Jim Edwards sharing experiences and photographs of their month long Travel to China, Tibet, and Cambodia.
The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA, |
The spotlight of the world will be focused on China in August of 2008, when the Olympics will be held in Beijing. Capitalizing on the publicity, the history, and the events that will accompany this international competition, Gualala Arts has chosen April 2008 for a fine art exhibition, titled China, Past and Present, opening April 12, with a reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and running through May 4th.
Art of different media will be featured by artists from northern and southern California, Nevada and China. Representation of traditional and contemporary Chinese art, thus the China, Past and Present, reflects a country which honors its past tradition, but one that enthusiastically embraces a technological present and future.
Photography is a favorite of many of the artists, the advent of digital cameras making it a more accessible art form.
She has customized five vessels for this exhibit,
using her eclectic, contemporary style with a conceptual approach.