Ribbon-cutting Ceremony Begins Embroidery Exhibition

On 28th February, the much anticipated “Wonders of Embroidery –Yao Hong Ying Embroidery Art Exhibition” began with an opening ceremony held in Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery South Island. The representative for Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hon. Pansy Wong, MP Nicky Wagner, MP Hon. Chris Carter, Minister of Immigration, Hon. Lianne Dalziel, Venerable Abbess Manshin and the advisor of BLIA South Island Mr. John Lai attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

At 3pm, the special guests, together with Venerable Abbess Manshin, raised the curtains concealing the well known piece of embroidery artwork “Wang Zao Jun” to symbolise the official opening for the Embroidery Exhibition.

Other guests who attended the ceremony included Riccarton-Wigram Community Board representative Mr. Jimmy Chen, President of Egg Art Association Mr. Ron Wright, President of Ikebana Association Mr. Ray King, President of BLIA North Island, Mrs. Tsai, Venerable Juechuan from Papua New Guinea, BLIA South Island committee members, devotees and more than one hundred people from the local community.

In her speech, Hon. Lianne Dalziel expressed her feelings by citing the words of Chief Curator of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Venerable Ruchang “embroidery itself is a kind of art, the needle is like a drawing pen while the threat is like the colours”, which were in the “Magnificence of Embroidery – Yao Hong Ying Embroidery Art” exhibition brochure.

Venerable Abbess Manshin mentioned that art crosses the boundary of language, and that together, art and religion brings happiness to people. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Abbess also expressed her gratitude for the contribution of BLIA South Island and its Young Adults Division for working together to take on the responsibility of the opening ceremony, and encouraged everyone to continue to collaborate to propagate the Dharma.