“East Meets West” Exhibition: Calling for Your Artwork!

A mixed media abstract painting featuring a range of blue and yellow hues, with what appears to be cracks running through the canvas. The cracks create an intricate network of lines, giving the impression of a shattered surface. The colors blend together in a vibrant and dynamic way, creating a sense of movement and energy. The overall effect is both beautiful and intriguing, inviting the viewer to explore the nuances of the painting.

Image credit: KPC Jones, Heaven and Hell by the threads (after John Olsen), 29.7x42cm, acrylic on canvas

Calling for your artwork

~ Please come and join us ~

Participants

  • Any adults over 18 years old
  • Amateur and   professional artists are all welcome
  • Free to enter

Artwork

  • A3 (29.7 x 42 cm) either in portrait or landscape orientation
  • No limit of artwork entries per participant
  • Canvas, watercolor paper, and/or rice paper are acceptable
  • 25% of the proceeds of a successful sale will go to support the HWC’s conservation and education programs. The remaining 75% will be fully returned to the participants
  • Please refer to the section of Ask – Q&A for price-setting information

Selection Criteria

1. Contents

  • (Nature conservation): wetland wildlife and/or landscape, and/or
  • (Celebration of the Year of the Dragon): dragon

2. Styles

  • Western painting (acrylic or watercolour) inspired by Chinese art techniques, or
  • a Chinese ink brush painting on rice papers

3. Execution

  • composition
  • brushwork
  • colour application

Registration

  • Expression of   interest opens from Tuesday, 1 August to Friday, 3 November 2023 via an email   to carol.huang@newcastle.edu.au
  • An acknowledgment email will be sent within 7 days upon receipt of the participant’s EOI
  • EOI can be withdrawn at any time before the registration closing deadline of Friday, 3 November 2023

Artwork submission

  • Starts from Tuesday, 1 August 2023 (during weekdays from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 4:30 pm excluding public holidays)
  • Closes on Friday, 10 November 2023
  • A small gift per person will be offered on a “first come first served” basis whilst stock lasts.
  • Artwork delivery to The Confucius Institute, Industry Development Centre, 130 University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308.
  • Google maps

More information

  • Check out the Ask us - Q&A section below for helpful information and answers
  • For further queries, please contact CI via email CI@newcastle.edu.au or phone (02) 4033 9452

A traditional Chinese-style painting of two birds perched on a branch of an apple tree. The birds are depicted in black, blue, white, and brown, with vibrant red beaks that match the color of the ripe apples on the branch. The painting is done on Chinese painting paper, with delicate and precise brushstrokes capturing the details of the birds and the apple tree branch. The birds are depicted in a natural and relaxed pose, with their feathers and markings rendered in intricate detail. The background is left largely blank, emphasizing the simplicity and elegance of the composition. Overall, the painting exudes a sense of tranquility and balance, capturing the beauty of nature in a traditional and timeless way.

Image credit: KPC Jones, Happy Day, 21 x 29.7 cm, Chinese painting paper

Ask us - Q&A

What is the cost to participate?

There is no entry cost to participate. Some expenses on art materials will be for buying your canvas or painting paper, ink, and paint brushes if you have not already got them at home.

Can I participate in the exhibition without selling my artwork?

We do prefer artwork for sale to support our cause of wetlands conservation and education. Subject to the utilisation of the exhibition space, there might be limited opportunities for marking the artwork as “not for sale”. Alternatively, you can buy back your artwork to contribute to the wetlands conservation and education programs with 25% of the proceeds going to the Centre.

Do I need to frame my artwork for submission?

You do not need to worry about framing if it is a work on paper. CI will be responsible for framing those selected paper paintings. No frame is required for your stretched canvas paintings.

Do I need to set the selling price of my artwork?

CI and the HWC will standardize and set the selling price based on the size (i.e., A3 only). The pricing information will be released upon receipt of the participant’s expression of interest (EOI). Participants can withdraw their EOI at any time before the registration closing date on Friday, 3 November 2023.

Can my son/daughter still be able to participate if they are not over 18 years old?

We have set the parameter of over 18 years of age as a general guideline for inviting adults only to this exhibition. If your son/daughter is turning 18 soon, we will make an exception on a case-by-case basis.

I am only familiar with western style paintings. How many Chinese elements are required to meet the selection criteria?

Creativity and experimenting are the keys. We are not necessarily looking for dominant Chinese elements. It will be fine as long as you can demonstrate some uses of Chinese brushstrokes or composition or objects (e.g., dragon, willow trees, etc.,) associated with the themes. You will get a chance to explain your concept when submitting the artwork. More details will be in the acknowledgment email upon receipt of your EOI.

Examples on the webpage:

  • In “Heaven and Hell by the Threads (after John Olsen)“, the artist is an amateur who has used the majority of western acrylic painting techniques but adopted the Chinese brushstrokes in Chinese ink to create the flowy threads in the painting.
  • In “Happy Day", the artist used most Chinese painting techniques but adopted the western style treatment of light and shadow.
Where can I find inspiration for the artwork ideas about wetlands?

Please visit the Hunter Wetlands Centre in Shortland if you are yet to check it out. It will be a fantastic experience for you and your family.

Who can I speak to if I have more questions that are not covered here?

Please send us an email at CI@newcastle.edu.au or call our lovely Carol at (02) 4033-9452.

Let’s Get Started and Happy Painting