UK Happenings

UK Confucius Institute to Host Huxian Peasant Painting Exhibit

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photo of a Huxian peasant painting of workers in a field
photo of Huxian peasant painting of women with animals
photo of Huxian peasant painting of women working in field

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 12, 2017) The University of Kentucky Confucius Institute (UKCI) will usher in the Huxian Peasant Painting Exhibition with a private opening 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at the Central Library Gallery of the Lexington Public Library in downtown Lexington. The free public exhibition will continue through May 31, 2017. 

Originating from the traditional folk arts such as paper cutting and embroidery, peasant painting began in Huxian County in the 1950s. At first, paintings only expressed work, but now paintings can be found of every aspect of daily life. By using bright colors and a unique technique, painters display their everyday activities from feeding livestock and children playing to local operas and village traditions. Each painting is different in its own way, with some being bold and unconstrained, while others are strong and impassioned. The work gives an insight to what it is like to live the folk life.

UKCI hosts art exhibitions to give people the convenience of seeing authentic Chinese art right here in Lexington. “Art is a great medium for enhancing cultural understanding, and for this very reason, the Confucius Institute holds at least one art exhibition of work coming directly from China each year,” said Huajing Maske, director of UK Confucius Institute.

Previous exhibitions that UKCI has hosted include "Galloping for Success," which celebrated the Year of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park, "Ink on the Roll" and "Realizing in Wood" at the Headley-Whitney Museum of Art and "Ink Rhythm" at the Explorium of Lexington. 

“These exhibitions provide excellent opportunities for school field trips and leisurely weekday or weekend visits,” Maske said.

If you have any questions about the Huxian Peasant Painting exhibition, please contact Lina Yu at lina.yu@uky.edu.

A gateway for Chinese language, culture and art to the people of Kentucky, UK Confucius Institute provides leadership, support and coordination for Chinese language and programs in K-12 schools as well as on UK's campus; assists and facilitates establishing and maintaining faculty and student exchanges between UK colleges and Chinese universities; conducts Chinese language and cultural exchange; and promotes education about China on campus, across the Bluegrass region, and throughout the Commonwealth. To keep up with UK Confucius Institute and future events, join the institute's listerv and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat (UKConfucius).