USJ brings Qiuci Caves mural artworks to display for the first time in Macao
USJ brings Qiuci Caves mural artworks to display for the first time in Macao
21
May
21/05/2021
USJ is displaying large scale mural works of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site of the Kizil (Qiuci) Caves for the first time in Macao.
Large scale mural works of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site of the Kizil (Qiuci) Caves, reproduced by senior artists of The Qiuci Institute of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, are being displayed for the first time in Macao at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ).
The “Art Exhibition of the Qiuci Caves on the Silk Road” is a result of the key exchange project led by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism for Hong Kong and Macao aiming to offer local viewers the insight into an authentic Chinese cultural and artistic experience.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition, held on 18 May 2021, was officiated by USJ Rector, Rev. Prof. Stephen Morgan, and distinguished guests including Deputy Director of Academic Committee of Xinjiang Kizil Grotto Research Institute, Ms. Zhao Li; Deputy Minister of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R, Mr. Wan Sucheng; Deputy Secretary-General of the Macao Foundation, Dr. Wu Zhiliang; Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, Ms. Iun Pui Iun; Representative of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Cheang Kin Chio; President of the Macau Chinese Cultural Friendship Association, Mr. Kuok Keng Man; Representative of the Creative Art and Culture (Macau) Cultural Association, Ms. Chan Nga Man; and Associate Professor of the University of Macao, Ms. Ze Xun Zhang.
During the opening speech, Rector stated that “as Macao’s truly international university – 47 nationalities amongst our student base and over half our staff being foreigners who have chosen to live, love and learn in Macao, to live, love and learn in China – being able to welcome you to this exhibition is part of our mission, as a platform for cultural exchange and education”.
The exhibition is divided into seven sections: Kizil Buddhism, painting, folklore and language, sculpture, cave architecture, music and dance, and conservation and research. The exhibit contains physical displays, including exhibits of Kizil tricolor clay, mineral pigments – lapis lazuli, and clay tablets demonstrating wall painting techniques. In display is also a representative sample of four Kizil Cave models: the Square Cave (Kizil Cave 39), the Central Column Cave (Kizil Cave 38), the Figure Cave (Kizil Cave 48), and the Monk Room Cave (Kizil Cave 15).
The jointly organised exhibition is hosted by the Macau Chinese Cultural Friendship Association; co-organised by The Kizil Grottoes Research Institute of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau Arts & Culture Youth Alliance; and the Creative Art and Culture (Macau) Cultural Association, and jointly sponsored by the Creative Art and Culture Development Foundation.
The exhibition is opened to public from the 18th to 30th of May 2021 at the Kent Wong Exhibition Gallery in USJ Ilha Verde Campus. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and closed on Sundays. Free Admission and all are welcome.
