THE INSTITUTE spring 1998 / planet of the arts 45 International Conference Accompanies Exhibit Vancouver Hosts Jiangnan Artists By Harald Gravelsins mily Carr Institute is the site for an upcoming international conference on contemporary and modern Chinese art. The conference will be held April 24 — 25, 1998, and will focus on recent work from the Jiangnan region, an area that includes Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing. This is the second international conference in as many years that will be hosted by the Institute. The University Art Association of Canada convened here in November 1997. Greg Bellerby, Director of the Scott Gallery at Emily Carr Institute, places the conference in the context of Vancouver as a gateway to the Pacific. “Vancouver is a port of entry for people, cul- tures, ideas, and businesses. It makes strong sense, given our location and demographics, for Emily Carr Institute and other leading cultural agencies, to actively seek an understanding of the histories, dif- ferences and affinities of the cultures that con- tribute to the vitality of the region.” The 1998 conference at Emily Carr Institute will take place at the conclusion of a series of exhibitions of visual art from the Jiangnan region of China mounted at venues throughout the Lower Mainland starting in March. Among these venues is the Institute’s Charles H. Scott Gallery. Bellerby trav- elled to China last October to visit artists and select work for the exhibition. Key coordinators for the series of art exhibitions are Hank Bull of the Western Front and Xia Wei of UBC’s Fine Arts Department. Besides the Scott Gallery, other participating institutions include the Contemporary Art Gallery, Artspeak, Access and Presentation House. The Vancouver Art Gallery is also participating in the event by exhibiting the work of Pan Tian Shou, widely recognized as a modern master of Chinese brush painting. Four artists are showing at the Scott Gallery in an exhibition called Jiangnan, Modern and Contemp- orary Art From South of the Yangtze River. The exhi- bition runs until April 26th. Twelve of the works at the Scott Gallery are woodcut prints by artists Chen Haiyan. The prints are part of a larger series based on dreams. Also included will be a work by Shen Fan con- sisting of nine circular panels. The artist’s approach involves building up thick surfaces of oil paint through a process that employs multiple transfer- ences of pigment by way of rice paper. Work from painter Ding Yi is part of the Scott Gallery exhibit as well. Many of the artist’s works involve the cross, a mark Ding has observed turning up endlessly in the built environment. From this inspiration he produces elongated tartan-like can- vases. In 1993 Ding was invited to exhibit at the Venice Biennale, one of the first Chinese artists to be extended this honour. The fourth artist included at the Scott Gallery is Shi Hui. Shi Hui uses paper and twine to produce large-scale sculptures. The Institute community and Scott Gallery members had the privilege of seeing her working process as she creates a piece for the exhibit during a week-long residency at the begin- ning of March. An abstract quality is apparent in many of the works showcased in the Jiangnan show but the use of traditional materials and methods is clearly evi- dent. Asked to comment on this, Scott Gallery director Greg Bellerby related, “What the exhibit and conference will probably make apparent is how easily and effectively art crosses international boundaries.” “More specifically, we will see that Asian artists have been using modes of artistic expression that are as contemporary as art practices anywhere in the world. But that their art is informed confident- ly and inventively by the vernacular of their every- day experiences and by the specific history of their culture.” Galt osuiea ROAUSENSE. projectin OUT COMMUNI To find out more, DICK up a brochure or Call 604.871 2444 www.ichc.com ghoad PG Chen Haiyan, Dream 29, 1986. Woodcut, 51/8” x 71/2”. A kindly thank-you to William (Bill) Cupit Faced with increasing cutbacks this year, the Photography Department was closed on Sundays since the beginning of the Fall 1997 semester. On top of having to leave the school at midnight, photo students were forced to work their project schedules around the Sunday closure. But this has all changed as Bill, through his own personal genius and wherewithal, or perhaps by exploiting his boyish charm, facilitated the re- opening of the labs on Sunday. Hurray! And way-da-go, Bill!! WE LUV YA, POPS! THE INSTITUTE spring 1998 / plonet of the orts 45 International Conference Accompanies Exhibit Vancouver Hosts Jiangnan Artists By Harald Gravelsins gan, Mi ‘Chen Halyan, Dream 29,1986. Woodeut, Sve" 7". A kindly thank-you to William (Bill) Cupit Faced with increasing cutbacks this year, the Photography Department was closed on Sundays since the beginning of the Fal 1997 semester. On top of hhaving to leave the schoo! at midnight, photo students were forced to work their project schedules around the Sunday closure. be jalncomm projectin ieee call 604.871.2444 But this has all changed as Bill, through his own personal genius and wherewithal, or perhaps by exploiting his boyish chatm, facilitated the re: ‘opening of the labs on Sunday. Hurray! And way-da-go, Bill!! WE LUV YA, POPS! wwew.iche.com Sense FA