The Exhibition “From a Carpenter to a Master - Qi Baishi Art " ended successfully in Busan

Jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, the Chinese Culture Center in Seoul, the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and the Busan Municipal Museum, and organized by the Hunan Museum and Xiangtan Qi Baishi Memorial Museum, the Exhibition- "From a Carpenter to a Master - Qi Baishi Art works" opened successfully in November 6th 2017 in Busan Municipal Museum as its second station in South Korea.

As a master of Chinese traditional arts, Qi Baishi made his achievements in poems, literature, paintings and seals. He was not only a successor to the traditional Chinese paintings, but also an innovator. In his paintings, traditional Chinese culture was interpreted in a modernized way, appealing to both refined and popular tastes. His works feature bright colors in contrast to the ink, with elements composed in natural ways, making a great contribution to the development of Chinese paintings. 

50 paintings and calligraphy works in total of Qi Baishi from the Hunan Museum, and the related art-making tools and books from Xiangtan Qi Baishi Memorial Museum were on display in the exhibition. The painting and calligraphy lovers could get a close access to Qibaishi and his famous works through these detailed and informative materials, which provided the Korean visitors a way to appreciate Qi Bashi's artistic style as well as a feast of modern art. 
 
The exhibition lasts for one month, attracting 19830 visitors in total including artists, art students and common citizens in South Korea. As a precious opportunity to appreciate the masterpieces of Qi Baishi, the exhibition ignites people's interest in Chinese art and promotes the cultural exchanges between China and South Korea.

According to Li Yuanfu, director of Busan Municipal Museum and professor in paintings and calligraphy studies, Qi Baishi’s artistic style has been gaining popularity among Korean artists since 1930, and they have been studying his style and features even until today. Now the younger art students are still attracted by his unique art language and visual constructions. Qi Baishi's artistic achievements have influenced a generation of Korean artists.

On November 10th, staff from the Hunan Museum exhibition began to prepare for the conclusion of the exhibition. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. We hope the "Qi Baishi Art Exhibition" can serve as an opportunity to deepen the cultural exchange and understanding between the two countries.