The 10th “Estuary Art Award” Held at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 1

Opening ceremony for the 10th “Estuary Art Award” exhibition was on 25th September at Fo guang Yuan Art Gallery 1. It was attended by Venerable Abbess Manshin, Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 1 Curator; Balamohan Shingade, Uxbridg Malcolm Smith Gallery Curator; Jami Lee Ross, Local MP; Terri Merchant, Chair of Tamaki Estuary Protection Society; Stephen Xu, President of BLIA North Island; BLIA members, and local artists. This exhibition show cases 34 art works that expresses the environmental state of the Tamaki Estuary from different perspectives.

The Abbess thanked the artists for their creative contributions and the positive message of environmental protection. For it is the same as Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s to experience positive energy through his calligraphy works, where we all try to learn and enrich ourselves through art.

Mr Balamohan spoke about the damaging effect of water and noise pollution on both human and animal lives, therefore encouraged everyone can contribute to environmental protection. He then explained the meaning behind the award’s winning and runner up pieces. This was followed by his appreciation toward the Monastery for providing this venue for the exhibition and support from the local council toward art.

Then Jami Lee Ross expressed: “The passionate artists who created these pieces to bring awareness to environmental protection as well as bringing visual enjoyment to the local public have done a great thing.” He also reaffirmed the government’s efforts toward environmental protection and praised the Monastery’s contribution toward local art.

Terri Merchant encouraged everyone to conserve water supplies and protect our water qualities and marine environment, for this contribute to maintaining this beautiful land for both people and animals.

The event was concluded by Abbess Manshin awarding the “People’s Choice Award” to artist Sonja Drake. Then everyone went out to enjoy some meticulously prepared refreshments.