ISLAMABAD: China’s ancient and vibrant culture was showcased at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) to celebrate China Cultural Heritage Week, a global event organised by China’s Ministry of Culture.

The China Culture Centre organised an exhibition featuring the various kinds of art practiced in the Jinpu New Area in Dalian at the PNCA’s China Culture Centre exhibition gallery. The exhibition will run until July 14.

The showcase was divided into two exhibitions – one of the Dalian Jinpu New Area’s Intangible Cultural Heritage and another featuring Chinese paper cutting, which was spread over various halls.

The walls of the first hall were beautifully decorated with paper art depicting Chinese culture and tradition. The paper cuttings on display depicted everyday life, showcasing a figure’s emotions and appearance, or natural plants and animals.

Paper cutting is a very distinctive Chinese art. On one side of the hall Chinese artists were teaching visitors the process of paper cutting.

The exhibition in the main gallery featuring various art forms, including Jinzhou modern folk painting, ceramic handicrafts, the bird-worm seal script and dough modelling. The wall one sees upon entering the hall displayed folk painting in vibrant colours.

Jinzhou modern folk painting is a comprehensive art with traditional folk elements and art presentation. These pieces are made with simple brushwork and intense colours and tell stories of romantic country life through modern art language.

The next section, where people gathered in large numbers, featured ceramic handicrafts, dough modelling and a back wall featuring paintings of the bird-worm seal script.

The dough models were beautifully created, and depicted characters in a story. An artist was also at the exhibition making dough models.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said China and Pakistan enjoy rich culture and heritage, and such cultural exchange activities will strengthen people-to-people contact.

He said: “Diversity of different cultures makes the world colourful and China and Pakistan has long history of civilizations.” He added that more and more projects will come to Pakistan under the flagship of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which will strengthen relations between both countries.

“The exhibition very beautifully highlighted the cultural heritage of China,” Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fauzia Saeed said at the event, while PNCA Director General Jamal Shah said events such as these strengthen ties between the two countries and are a sign of a great future.

A visitor, Farah Usmani, told Dawn the event will provide art students with the opportunity to interact directly with exhibitors and artists showcasing their work. “I did not know much about these Chinese art forms displayed here, like the modern folk paintings. I thought vibrant colours were only used in Pakistan, but [I am] amazed after seeing these paintings,” she said, adding that she would visit the dough modelling artist at the exhibition to learn the basics.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2017