Free Chinese Painting Workshop: Birds In Wetlands

DateSaturday 28th January 2023
Time

Two options (pls choose):

Session I:  11:15am – 1:15pm

Session II:  2:15pm – 4:15pm

LocationRoom: IDC106, Ground level  
Industry Development Centre, the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308
Number of participantsMax. 15 participants per session
Adults only over 18 (ideally with some experience in drawing and painting)
MaterialsAll tools and materials will be provided.
Registration

To register on Eventbrite please click here

Deadline: COB Monday, 23 January 2023

Cost: Free

For any further enquires and waiting list, please contact Carol via

E: carol.huang@newcastle.edu.au or M: 0434 151 871

Two paintings of birds in wetlands

Acknowledgment: all copyrights of photos reserved to Dr Fan Dongwang. More Chinese paintings by Dr Fan can be seen at: https://ww15w.fandongwang.com/chinese-ink-brush-paintings.

This 2-hour workshop aims to equip participants with basic knowledge and techniques of Chinese painting. It is suitable for adults over 18 to learn the basics of traditional Chinese ink brush painting, using simple but expressive brush strokes on rice paper to create Chinese landscape and wildlife painting. Dr Fan Dongwang will explain and demonstrate these elegant brush techniques in a way that is easy to understand, yet meditative, enjoyable, and relaxing.

The participants will, at the same time, be appreciating Chinese philosophy and aesthetics regarding paintings. Chinese landscape painting has evolved into an independent genre that symbolizes ‘Tian-ren-he-yi’, a Daoism concept of "uniting nature and humanity" that allows the natural environment to be given respect, moral and ethical consideration by humans. People paint landscapes with basic elements of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and trees that allow them to immerse themselves in and to escape their quotidian world to commune with nature.

After the workshop, the participants should be able to understand the basics of Chinese painting, comprehend the use of Chinese painting brush, ink, and rice paper, master the essential brush strokes and composition, construct simple Chinese landscape painting, and start enjoying this beautiful art form. The participants will also get to keep a complimentary Chinese paint brush and another beautiful surprise gift to continue practising and experimenting.

About Dr Fan Dongwang

Dr Fan Dongwang Before migrating to Australia as an artist of ‘Distinguished Talent’, Dr Fan taught art at Shanghai School of Arts and Crafts (SSAC) and exhibited his works regularly in Shanghai Art Gallery, Shanghai Art Museum Inaugural Art Exhibition, and the Shanghai International Art Festival. As a member of the top professional body Chinese Artists Association, he was awarded the Prize for Excellent Work for Shanghai International Culture Exchange.

In Sydney, Dr Fan also had artworks exhibited at multiple galleries including National Gallery of Australia, Wollongong City Gallery, Drill Hall Gallery, The University Gallery at the University of Newcastle, Sydney University College of the Arts Galleries, and Macquarie University Art Gallery. He has won over seven art prizes in local cultural events. Since 2016, the Sydney City Council has been inviting Dr Fan to design Chinese zodiac lanterns for its Chinese New Year celebration.

Dr Fan received his Post Graduate Award and Doctor of Creative Art at Wollongong University in 1999 and a Master of Arts at COFA, University of New South Wales in 1995.

“East Meets West Painting Exhibition 2024

As part of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Wood Dragon) celebration, this exhibition is a collaboration with the Hunter Wetlands Centre (HWC) which will be held in February 2024 “for our community” and “from our community”. The artworks will be based on the themes of “wetland wildlife, “wetland landscape”, and “dragon”.

With a focus on nature, “East Meets West Painting Exhibition” aims to bring to our community the ancient art form of Chinese painting and a fusion of “East Meets West” by adopting both Chinese and western painting techniques. Local community will be encouraged to enter their artworks to this exhibition.

Small fraction of the proceeds from the successful artwork sale will go to support the HWC’s mission of wildlife conservation and education. The remaining proceeds will return to the participants.

Pls watch this space with more details of this exhibition to be announced in 2023.