Famous Chinese artist to paint Rotorua
Chinese artist Zhao Qingguo.
Renowned Chinese artist Zhao Qingguo will visit Rotorua this week as part of a cultural exchange, alongside China Southern Airline general manager Mike Ma.
He will be greeted with a powhiri at Rotorua Museum on Wednesday [10 July] starting at 10.30am, where he will create a work of art from scratch to present to the city later that day.
Zhao is a distinguished Professor at Zhongyuan University of Technology, Dean of China Central Academy of Painting, deputy of Calligraphy at the Great Wall of China General Research Institute of Painting, and a renowned national artist.
He has previously visited the United States, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the Ukraine as part of cultural exchanges. His works are collected by a number of Chinese museums and galleries.
While in Rotorua he will meet with aspiring and established local artists, visit galleries and workshops, and experience Maori carving and weaving.
Destination Rotorua Marketing general manager Oscar Nathan says the visit is a chance to further grow the bond between Rotorua and China.
Rotorua is excited to greet Mr Zhao because Rotorua has been a long-time favourite destination for inbound Chinese but also Chinese Kiwis. This opportunity is testament to the enduring relationship between our two destinations and will create a bond between our cultures.
We are really look forward to seeing the piece of art he creates.
Zhao will be in Rotorua on 10 July, and will be joined by members of the China-New Zealand cultural exchange programme, the general manager of China Southern Airline, as well as members of the Chinese-New Zealand press, among others.
Last year China Southern Airline signed a historic collaborative MoU with the Rotorua District Council aiming to mutually grow profile and opportunities, while promoting the region as a destination for the Chinese semi free independent traveler.