China Art on Show in Australia

China has been an exciting contemporary art environment for many years. For Australians there are two ways of seeing some of these important art works. The first way (and the more expensive way) is to fly to China and visit some of the Chinese contemporary art galleries. The second way is to go to Canberra to visit the National Museum of Australia which has just opened a four month long Chinese contemporary art exhibition called “A New Horizon”. The art works are from the National Art Museum of China located in Beijing.

On display are many important artworks created since the foundation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, including 62 Chinese ink-and-wash and oil paintings, 11 sculptures and new media works by some of the most important contemporary Chinese artists.

The exhibition reflects the rapid changes to art practice, technique and perceptions of Chinese culture, and the significant social changes of the past 60 years. Curator and NAMOC director Fan Di'an says the exchanges serve as a bridge for understanding and dialogue between the two countries. "The exhibition chronologically presents the evolution of Chinese contemporary art in three distinct parts - New China, New Thinking and New Century," he said. "It shows how different generations of Chinese artists have drawn their inspirations from the tension between individual experience and the influences of the outside world, imbuing their works with a vital force."

The exhibition is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm, and admission is free.

The venue is the National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Canberra ACT 2600

Contact details are Phone 1800 026 13,  Fax +61 02 6208 5148

Email: information@nma.gov.au

Website: www.nma.gov.au