Visit of Elderlies of Parklane Retirement to FGS South Island
Led by their person-in-charge Lisa Hartley, 4 elderlies from Christchurch’s Parklane Retirement visited Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Christchurch on 20th October 2020. This was their first visit to the Gallery. They were all art enthusiasts and decided to make this trip to FGY Gallery after learning of its good reputation.
On arrival, the visitors were welcomed by Gallery officer Juin Mei who guided them for a tour of Professor Kuo Yen-Chiao’s Traditional Chinese Paintings Exhibition, the Thought of Buddhist Practitione Floral Exhibition, and the Everlasting Beauty of Dun Huang Art Exhibition. The visitors were awe-struck by the high quality of the Art and Floral exhibitions, and they claimed to be able to feel the dedications of the Artists from their masterpieces on exhibition.
After their tour of the Gallery, the visitors adjourned to the Water Drop Café for their vegetarian meals, for which they were full of praises. Later, the entourage spent some time in the courtyard where they were elated by the sights of beautiful flowers, plants, and trees. Looking at the standing statue of Buddha in the courtyard, Lisa asked about the significance of the卍 sign on the Buddha statue. Juin Mei explained that this卍 sign is just one of the 80 good things associated with Buddha. According to records, the auspicious 卍 signs were found on Buddha’s hands, feet and chest to depict Buddha’s good Merits, and to signify his Wisdom and Compassion.
At the end of their visit, Lisa remarked that FGY Art Gallery Christchurch is indeed a unique hard-to-match Art Gallery in Christchurch. She has plan to arrange for a visit of 15 other elderlies of Parklane Retirement to this gallery, and hopes that they are able to join in the ‘Friends of FGY’ High Tea on 5th December 2020 so that they may have the opportunity to share with other Christchurch art lovers the joy of visiting an exhibition.