Monash Memo - articles - 17 October 2001

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Chinese art: made in Australia

Works completed by visiting Chinese visual artist Professor Zha Shou Xing (pictured below) during his residency in the Faculty of Art and Design went on display in the Faculty Gallery last week.

Works in watercolour and oils painted during the first half of his two-month stay in Australia will be displayed in the exhibition, titled Professor Zha Shou Xing, along with selected earlier pieces from China until 24 October.

Professor Zha is a member of the Chinese Fine Arts Association, the foremost body of artists in the People's Republic of China. He is also an administrator of the Shanghai Fine Arts Educational Association and a professor of painting at the Shanghai Synthetic Fine Arts College.

Head of Fine Arts at Monash Professor Bernard Hoffert said Professor Zha was known for his subtle blending of traditional brushwork with a contemporary realist style.

"His watercolour technique is rapid and responsive to the changes of light and atmosphere, enabling him to capture the qualities of his surroundings with immediacy and feeling," he said.

Following Professor Zha's exhibition, the gallery will feature the work of another renowned Chinese artist, Professor Liao Jun.

The exhibition, titled Professor Liao Jun, will run from 31 October and will feature a selection of works representing his eminent career.

Dean of the School of Fine Arts at Suzhou University, Professor Liao gives his traditional Chinese brushwork a contemporary feel.