EXHIBITION 2024: Silk Road Artists’ Rendezvous

21 September – 4 October 2024

Guy Ngan, Tāme Iti, Jamie Boynton and Heimler & Proc are among a dozen contemporary New Zealand artists included in this exhibition of works by 60 artists from 33 countries created in the “Silk Road Artists’ Rendezvous” and now briefly on display in Wellington.

Since 2009, the 'Silk Road Artists’ Rendezvous', hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, has invited hundreds of talented artists from nearly a hundred countries to visit China for inspiration and artistic creation. This initiative has established an international platform for cultural exchange and artistic dialogue, enhancing mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation among people from different countries.

On the 10th anniversary of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, the ‘Silk Road Artists’ Rendezvous' - Exhibition of Foreign Artist’s Drawing from life in China’ was held as a significant component of the inaugural ‘Liangzhu Forum’ in Hangzhou at the end of 2023. The exhibition featured artworks by 84 artists from 83 countries.

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand. The deep friendship between the two countries is built upon many common values: respect for the natural environment, inclusiveness toward diverse cultures, a commitment to innovation and creativity, and a shared aspiration for world peace.

This exhibition brings together works from previous ‘Silk Road Artists’ Rendezvous’ events, along with the creations by distinguished Chinese and New Zealand artists. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscapes and cultural landmarks, the artists use their unique artistic languages to transform their observations, reflections, and insights into diverse artistic expressions and experiments that collaboratively depict a contemporary tapestry of cultural exchange and mutual learning.