The Opening of Chinese Zen painting and Calligraphy
On 21 April, Buddha’s Birthday, New Zealand Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 2 had an exhibition of Chinese Zen and also had a opening ceremony for the Chinese Zen Artist, Kim Hoa Tram, who flew from Melbourne. The guests that participated were New Zealand Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Abbess and Curator, Abbess Manshin, New Zealand Minister of Environment, Hon Kate Wilkinson. Members of congress Hon Ruth Dyson, MP and Ethnic Affairs Minister first secretary, Melissa Lee MP, the Christchurch City Council representatives, Jimmy Chen, Peter Beck, Dr Judy Kirk, BLIA New Zealand North and South Island President, Dolly Tsai and President See Shen Lee, Australia Melbourne National Gallery of Victoria Museum Asia Curator, Professor Mei En Pan, All the religious representatives, Friends of Fo Guang Yuan and the participants of Buddha’s birthday. Together with 200 people participated the opening of the exhibition.
The opening ceremony began by inviting the Abbess, Abbess Manshin and the Artist, Kim Hoa Tram and many of the guests to perform ribbon cutting. Abbess Manshin mentioned that the artwork of the Chinese Zen Artist is very amazing and wonderful and it was the first time for the artist to have his artworks exhibited in Christchurch and the Abbess believed that his Zen artworks will allow all the viewers to have really broad exploring experiences in them.
The Chinese Zen Artist, Kim Hoa Tram was really appreciated and thankful to Fo Guang Shan South Island New Zealand, New Zealand Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 2 Curator and all the venerables contribution to allow the opening of his Chinese Zen Artwork to be successful. Kim Hoa Tram announced that the Curator of New Zealand South Island, Abbess Manshin, had a vision of Zen when she decorated the venue for the exhibition so that the venue resonated. He was also thankful to everyone that participated to the opening of his exhibition. The National Gallery of Victoria Museum Asia Curator, Professor Mei En Pan said she really appreciated the artworks by the Chinese Zen artist. She also said that his artwork is very unique and when you see his artworks and you will be dragged into Zen mood.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony everyone enjoyed the demonstrated carried out by the artist at the hall in Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 2. The artist expressed his feeling in making his art works in the past with two stories with his experienced and skills he made two artworks that symbolized “Stillness” and “Tolerance”.
Everyone at the venue applauded loudly and everyone looked closely at all his delicate and beautiful artworks as a gift to everyone that participated the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration and the opening of his exhibition.