Opening of Treasure of Nature Enlighten You Photography Exhibition at FGY CHCH
On 18th January 2020, Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Christchurch launched the opening of Toney Su’s ‘Treasure of Nature Enlighten You’ Photography Exhibition. The Opening Ceremony was attended by 130 Christchurch public and members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA). Among the Guests of Honor were the Curator of FGY Art Gallery Christchurch Venerable Abbess Manshin, the PRC Consul General in Christchurch Wang Zhijian and his Deputy Yu Gang, Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton board member Helen Broughton, Debbie Mora, Canterbury Hindu Faith Representative Dr Surinder Tandon, Constable Liying Cai, Christchurch Artists Mr and Mrs Keith Morant, Mr and Mrs Justine de Spa, Mr and Mrs Shayne Rusbatch, and BLIA South Island President Bernie.
Photographer Toney Su is a BLIA Young Adults Division (YAD) member from Taiwan and loves photography since his young days. For many years, Toney has been working as a volunteer photographer in Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Headquarters Kaohsiung, and for four years, has been involved in the photo-recording of the procedures, etiquettes, and site arrangements for the Water and Land Dharma Function’s Inner Altar. Indeed, his many years of voluntary service at FGS Headquarters have laid the conditions and paved the way for this Exhibition. This is Toney’s first solo Exhibition and is a big step in elevating his photography career to a higher level.
In her speech at the opening ceremony, Gallery Curator Venerable Abbess Manshin remarked that Toney is an enthusiastic young man. Arriving in New Zealand less than a year ago, Toney has travelled the length and width of North and South Islands capturing their beauties with his lens. In all, he has taken over ten thousand photos from which he has selected the outstanding ones for this Exhibition. To Toney, this Exhibition represents a new beginning, a new determination, a new creativity, and a new responsibility. Venerable Abbess hoped that those present would recommend this Exhibition to their relatives and friends so that more people can come and support it, making it a success.
Addressing the gathering, Toney recalled that he was leading a very hectic life in Taiwan before. In April 2019, under a chanced meeting, he was invited by Venerable Abbess Manshin to come over to FGS New Zealand to take photographs of the Temple activities. While here, he was captivated by the natural beauty of the sceneries and began to capture all these amazing moments through the lens. This string of events finally led to the exhibition. This is Toney’s first Solo Photograph Exhibition and it meant a lot to him. Toney thanked Abbess Manshin for giving him the opportunity to hold this Exhibition and also expressed his gratitude to the BLIA Team and many others for their assistance, especially in their collective efforts to successfully make the publication of the photograph album Treasure of Nature Enlighten You a reality.
Artist Keith Morant, in his speech, pointed out that learning must not necessarily be confined to classroom. We can also learn from our surrounding environments. Take for example, the Exhibition can also be treated as an education in itself as it allows us to be aware of and to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature through the skilfully taken photographs. Keith was glad that Toney was able to assemble his artistic pieces and put them up for sharing with the public. This is a good beginning for Toney!
After the speeches, the Exhibition was opened by the cutting of ribbon by 20 guests of honour. Afterwards, Toney guided the guests through the exhibition. The guests were moved by the enthusiasm shown by Toney and praised him for the love he has for New Zealand and for photography. Other than the photographs, on display were Toney’s photograph album and postcard which were well received by the guests. Venerable Abbess Manshin and Toney obliged the crowd by signing on the albums they purchased.
The photographs at the exhibition captured not only New Zealand’s natural beauties, but also the special characters of FGS North and South Island Temple buildings. The Exhibition will be held at FGY Art Gallery Christchurch from 18th January to 30th April 2020, and at FGY Art Gallery Auckland for the second half of 2020.