A Chinese painting exhibition was held at the auditorium of the University of Mauritius from 24th to 25th May 2019. The exhibition was well attended. Mr. Gong Yufeng, Councilor and Acting Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, was warmly welcomed by Mr. N. Kistamah and Mr. Tan Xudong, Co-Directors of Confucius Institute at University of Mauritius.
The exhibition is the works of CI-UoM students after completion of the beginner’s level (48 hours). The teacher is Professor Zhang Kangfu, Chinese teacher at Confucius Institute-University of Mauritius and Professor of Design, Institute of International Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University. The works focused on observing nature and combining ‘artistic sentiments’ to express the subject under study. Bamboo and plum blossom were the predominant themes of the exhibition. The course which started in mid-January 2019 and ended in May 2019 taught the students the basics of Chinese painting and how to draw plum blossom and bamboo. In China, plum blossoms only bloom during the cold weather of winter, and it highlights the character of persistence and indomitability, whilst bamboo is known to grow straight, and this signifies integrity and pride. The students made good work progress and successfully completed their own paintings for the exhibition.
“Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. Painting in the traditional style is known today in Chinese as guóhuà, meaning "national" or "native painting", as opposed to Western styles of art which became popular in China in the 20th century.”
This unique form of art involves the use of special materials and tools which consist of brushes, special black and coloured inks for Chinese painting. The brushes are dipped in the water-based black inks and the strokes are expressed on ‘xuan’ or rice paper. Chinese paintings are prominently monochrome, with occasional use of coloured inks. The finished painting can be mounted on scrolls, such as hanging scrolls or into album sheets.
Plate 1. Mr. Naraindra Kistamah, Director of Confucius Institute at University of Mauritius, introducing the works of CI-UoM students to Mr. Gong Yufeng, Councilor and Acting Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
Plate 2. The exhibition was opened to the public from 24-25th June 2019 at the Auditorium of the University of Mauritius.
Plate 3. A sample of Chinese Painting Exhibits by CI-UoM students (Beginner’s Level)