President Xiaoyang Yang and the Delegation from China National Academy of Painting visit William Paterson University and New York

11/08/2017 – 11/12/2017

The Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University co-organized with the China National Academy of Painting, the Institute of Art Research of China National Academy of Painting, the Sino-American Culture & Arts Foundation, and the New York Gallery of Chinese Art “Ink Painting from the East: An Exhibition and Symposium of Contemporary Chinese Ink Paintings” at William Paterson University and New York Gallery of Chinese Art respectively on November 10, 2017.

10:00 a.m. President of China National Academy of Painting Mr. Xiaoyang Yang and their Vice President Mr. Xiaoling Zhang led a delegation of 12 artists to visit William Paterson University, the Center for Chinese Art and Art Department. Dr. Kathleen Waldron, President of William Paterson University, Professor Moore, Dean of College of the Arts and Communication of William Paterson University, and Professor Zhiyuan Cong, Director of the Center for Chinese Art, met with the delegation at Hobart Manor.

12:00 p.m. The symposium began at the William Paterson University library hall. It commenced with a video introduction specially made for this exhibition by the China National Academy of Painting. Professor Zhiyuan Cong hosted the symposium. He explained that the theme of the symposium is “Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting: Art Appreciation and Reevaluation in a Cross-Cultural Context.” He commented that Contemporary Chinese ink art in America and Chinese contemporary ink art in China are two concepts that often have been mixed. Contemporary Chinese ink art in America is guided by Western art philosophies, is embedded with modern art movements and combined with Chinese culture and sentiment in opposition to the rebellious Western art slogans. Chinese Contemporary ink art in China is guided by Chinese cultural spirit and art philosophies, inspired by contemporary Chinese natural lives and themes to promote and carry forward Chinese cultural traditions and develop innovative Chinese contemporary arts. Therefore, it is very meaningful and important that experts and scholars at this symposium address and discuss Contemporary Chinese ink art appreciation and reevaluation in a cross-cultural context by different Eastern and Western aesthetics and visual perspectives. Vice President of the China National Academy of Painting, Mr. Xiaoling Zhang, gave the thematic speech; Dean of College of the Arts and Communication of William Paterson University Mr. Daryl J. Moore, Professor Jin Sun of Beijing Normal University, Director of William Paterson University Galleries Ms. Kristen Evangelista, researcher at China National Academy of Painting Mr. Ming Chen discussed globalization of Chinese Contemporary ink art. Mr. Xiaoling Zhang ended the symposium with a closing speech.

6:00 p.m. Curated by Dr. Xiaoling Zhang, Vice President of China National Academy of Painting and chief editor of Art News of China, “Ink Painting from the East: An Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Ink Paintings” opened at New York Gallery of Chinese Art in Manhattan. The exhibition showcased 52 paintings of 27 renowned Chinese ink artists who have actively participated in Contemporary Chinese ink field, aiming to bring contemporary Chinese ink art to new academic and aesthetic heights.

The grand opening of “Ink Painting from the East: An Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Ink Paintings” and opening celebration of New York Gallery of Chinese Art are hosted by Dean Daryl J. Moore and Professor Zhiyuan Cong. Guests speakers respectively are: Cultural counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in New York Mr. Liyan Li, President of China National Academy of Painting Mr. Xiaoyang Yang, President of William Paterson University Dr. Kathleen Waldron, Chairman of Chinese Contemporary Culture and Art Foundation USA Mr. Sam Zhu, Honorary Directors of the Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University, President of New Jersey Chinese Association Ms. Margaret Lam, and Director of New York Gallery of Chinese Art Mr. Ip-Wing Kong.

“Crossing Pacific: Talk to Masters in Person” was a special program planned during the opening ceremony. The dialogue was hosted by Professor Zhiyuan Cong. He invited President Xiaoyang Yang, Vice President Xiaoling Zhang, and American art critic Robert C. Morgan for a talk on Contemporary Chinese ink art. Despite the apparent differences between American culture and Chinese culture, it has never stopped artists connecting with each other. Twelve years ago, Robert C. Morgan met with President Yang over a disagreement of art expression; now they have found consensus on tolerance and communication in today’s two giant cultures, and have become art confidants. These two dialogues will become tales in the American and Chinese contemporary art exchange history. Professor Zhiyuan Cong announced the opening the exhibition and commenced the ribbon cutting for the New York Gallery of Chinese Art’s grand opening.

As the chief program organizer of this project in America, Professor Zhiyuan Cong told reporters that the Center for Chinese Art appreciates the China National Academy of Painting, its president Mr. Xiaoyang Yang and Vice President Mr. Xiaoling Zhang for the honor and opportunity to co-organize and co-host this international project. The Center for Chinese Art will continuously organize high level exhibitions and academic programs like this, and will keep up with the Chinese American culture and art exchange and development.