This is a three year lecture series.

An Taoiseach said: "I am delighted to endorse the steps taken by Sheppard’s Irish Auction House and the School of Asian Studies at UCC to strengthen Irish-Asian relationships though cultural dialogue. Ireland has been very successful in building relationships with China. Initiatives such as the UCC and Sheppard’s Irish Auction House Oriental Arts Lecture Series are central in promoting cultural awareness. Such awareness is key to the implementation of new strategy and action plan for trade, tourism and investment.”

Dr Michael Murphy, President, University College, Cork stated that “UCC plays a leading role in promoting Irish university education to international students. The University believes that the development of cultural relationships with priority Asian countries complements the key education and trade promotion objectives of the Asia Strategy. The University is pleased to work in partnership with Sheppard’s Irish Auction House, in bringing leading Asian arts practitioners to Ireland so that we can learn about their work and practice. Ireland will benefit both culturally and economically from this increased internationalization and diversity”.

The Inaugural Lecture will be held on this evening, Wednesday, October 13th 2010 in the Irish Architectural Archive, 45 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 at 7pm by Mr Guan Mingang, a leading Chinese artist and Director of the Creativity Research Institute, Research Academy of Chinese Traditional Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting of Sichuan, China.

Commenting on the techniques used by Guan Mingang, leading Chinese art critic, Mr. Xue Yougnian states in his book, Explore the New Territory. “He (Guan Mingang) focuses on the use of black ink. His paintings are both ‘descriptive’ and ‘expressive’. This is his own style.” Speaking of his own work and the essence of Chinese painting, Guan Mingang says, “I think Chinese paintings focus on the expression of the spirit. The objective is to reach the unity of human being and nature. Western painting is focussed on the description of objects, people and landscapes.”

Picture L-R: Virginia Teehan, Director of Cultural Projects, UCC, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD, Professor Guan Mingang, Artist, Professor Fan Hong, Director of the Irish Institute of Chinese Studies, and Michael Sheppard, MD Sheppards Irish Auction House.

MMcS

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