Exhibition shows closer China-Philippine ties
Ten artists from the Philippines and China embark on an artistic dialogue in a cultural exchange program for collective improvision
The joint exhibition of works by Chinese and Filipino artists in Manila marks the opening of a new chapter in the two countries’ relationship through closer culture ties and deepening mutual understanding, participants at the exhibition said.
Called “In Harmony with Nature”, the exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila featured 65 paintings from five Chinese and five Filipino artists. All the exhibits were created at a Filipino island retreat from Sept. 23 to 25.
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua described the exhibition as a “pioneer” in art and cultural exchange between China and the Philippines. “It goes beyond the exchanges between individuals. It is also about the interaction of two different cultures and two different civilizations,” he said while touring the exhibition on Saturday.
The Philippines is a key country in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Zhao said the initiative places great emphasis on people-to-people bonding and that arts is the most effective way to arouse the spirit of affinity between people raised under different cultures.
Carlos Dominguez III, secretary of finance of the Philippines, said at the exhibition opening reception that the exhibition allows people from the two countries to realize that China and the Philippines share a lot in common culturally, aesthetically and spiritually.
“Culture is what people believe and how they behave. I think cultures between China and the Philippines are complementary,” he said.
Benjamin E. Diokno, governor of the central bank of the Philipines, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said the exchange program has turned a new page in Philippine - China cultural exchange and that more of that should be conducted.
The exhibition is part of the twomonth Philippine-Chinese Art and Culture Exchange Program with the theme “In Harmony with Nature.” The program is co-organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (MET), the Bank of China, China Daily and the Chinese Culture and Art Association (CCAA).
Kuku Chai Bu-kuk, one of the Chinese artists who joined the program, said she was impressed by the passion and hospitality shown by Filipino artists.
“After spending three days drawing together, I now understand more about their ways of presenting arts and their thinking of life. Despite our different languages, I think we have become closer at heart after the trip,” she said.
Filipino painter Rico Lascano said the six paintings he created for the exhibition showed the infl uence of the Chinese artists he befriended during the exchange program.
“By talking with the Chinese artists, I’ve learned more about the oriental philosophy of perceiving life. I’m no expert in traditional Chinese painting. But, I’ve learned to combine their philosophy with my contemporary painting techniques,” he said.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is a large painting jointly created by the 10 painters to exemplify the central theme of the event: “In Harmony with Nature”.
The painting shows a typical seaside scene of the Philippines, an island country, against a blue stretch of water surrounded by green hills. The idyllic scene is livened up by painting of seabirds, bancas, the country’s distinctive boat, and houses to add a Filipino touch.
After the exhibition in Manila, the Philippine artists will visit Liling city in Hunan province from Oct 20 to 24 to sketch and paint. After that, the collection of art works created in the Philippines and China will be exhibited in Shenzhen between Oct 26 and Nov 16.