16 September 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ART FOR CHARITY
Pink Ribbon Art Auction at The Peninsula Beijing
On 25 September 2014, The Peninsula Beijing will launch the “Peninsula in Pink” campaign with a circus-themed lighting ceremony. Besides illuminating the hotel exterior and lobby in pink, various circus activities are planned, and also – a highlight of the evening – an Art Auction; all aimed at creating a fun-filled evening and raising funds for the China Breast Cancer Foundation.
Seven paintings in total will be auctioned, donated by five artists involved in the art residency programme at the hotel, with all proceeds from artwork sales benefitting the China Breast Cancer Foundation. There are two ways for people to participate in the auction: they can send an e-mail to Ms Amanda Wang, or Ms Macy Yang, , leaving their bid and contact details before midnight on 31 October, or they can view the actual works of art at the PINK lighting ceremony on 25 September and make their bid in person, next the painting that moves them. This is a rare opportunity for art lovers to meet the artists on the night and acquire an exquisite work of art, as well as contribute to a worthy cause.
THE ARTISTS AND THEIR WORKS
Aima St Hunon, Vallala, 30 x 46 cm, Linocut (edition of 1), 2013, RMB 8,000 starting bid
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This original linocut print is of Vallala, one of Aima St Hunon's “Lalas”, or Goddesses, her mythical allegories of feminity. The fiery gold of this divine image blasts from coal-black depths as the artist captures the spirit of the Goddess with this unique and arresting image.
Aima St Hunon is a young French artist who studied Applied Arts in Sculpture in Paris, but who calls France, America and China home. Inspired by impressions gained on her numerous travels, Aima explores new media and natural materials such as ceramic, bronze and stone to create her magic, symbolic universe; one in which she conveys feminine sensuality and joyous expressions of womanhood. From her study and interpretation of myths and cultural symbols, the artist conceives a world where women become divinities.
Zhang Zhaohui, Composition, 114 x 68 cm, Ink on rice paper, 2014, RMB 43,400 starting bid
This work performs the rare feat of creating space and perspective with the most sober of compositions. Black and white envelope, ultimately, the full spectrum of the rainbow, yet it is the subtleties of the shades of grey and the teasing play of the ink and water that lead us into this beautiful work.
Zhang Zhaohui is a representative figure in contemporary Chinese ink art. With over 30 years of art training and contemplation, Zhang Zhaohui has pioneered a new direction for the development of Chinese ink art, creating an innovative system of expression and gaining recognition from the
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international art world. Zhang Zhaohui's works are divided into two broad categories – the “Nature” series and the “Abstract” series. Zhang’s “Abstract” series demonstrates the incredible outcomes achieved from applying traditional Chinese media and methods to Western abstract, conceptual, optical and minimalist art. In March 2014, Zhang Zhaohui held a solo show in Japan at Fukuoka Museum of Art, and also participated in the Michael Goedhuis Gallery group show, which was celebrated concurrently with the first contemporary Chinese ink exhibition at MOMA New York.
Bei Shui, Dreams Find Wetland No.5, 65 x 42 cm, Serigraph (edition of 30), 2009, RMB 14,400 starting bid
A romantic abstraction if ever there was one, the wistfulness of merging tonalities and shades blending dreams with reality, past with present and nature with fleeting memory.
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Bei Shui, Riverbank in the South, 65 x 42 cm, Serigraph (edition of 15), 2011, RMB 14,400 starting bid
As remarkable in serigraphy as he is in oil painting, Bei Shui manages to confer his serigraphs a texture and depth only a few can muster, especially in abstract art. True to his favourite colours of red and black, one may distinguish outlines of fish as silted currents lead us into profound realms.
Born in 1968 in Jilin, China, Bei Shui graduated from the Department of Fine Arts of Northeast Normal University. Since 1995, Bei Shui has had 20 solo exhibitions in China and Germany as well as more than 30 group exhibitions at notable museums in Beijing, Shanghai and galleries across Germany. The texture and massive use of oil paint and colours in his artwork directly depict his thoughts about the essence of life, respect, love, depression, poetic thoughts and the feeling of being powerless in the face of reality.
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Zhou Yingchao, Snow Night Canvas, 70 × 90 cm, 2013, RMB 126,000 starting bid
Capturing the delicacy of moonlight reverberating through the reflection of millions of snow crystals while moon shadows lighten up the scene in fiery hues, this uniquely spirited work reaches those remote corners within us so difficult to access. With each viewing, the sensations this work evokes grow finer.
Zhou Yingchao, Flower Vase Canvas, 60 × 50 cm, RMB 60,000 starting bid
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Zhou Yingchao, master of human and equestrian portraiture, disarms us with a delicate still life of a vase with flowers. Or as Blake wrote in his Auguries of Innocence:
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour
Zhou Yingchao’s work cannot be easily categorised – the realist paintings are intricate and life-like and mirror today’s society in the traditions of the past, whereas other paintings are expressive of abstract and surrealist styles. No matter what style he chooses, his goal is always to reach new heights in his art creation. Fernando Arrabal, the Spanish surrealist master and friend of Picasso and Dali, once exclaimed: “I can tell Zhou Yingchao any of my life experiences, and he will make a masterpiece!” In 2007, he was selected to be part of the prestigious “Masters of Pop Art” and “In the Mood for Pop” exhibitions in London. In 2011, Zhou Yingchao held a retrospective in Shanghai concurrent with the exhibition “Five Lights of Chinese Art” featuring five prominent Chinese artists (Zhang Xiaogang, Yue Minjun, Wang Qingsong, Wang Guangyi and Yang Shaobin), on the occasion of the opening of MAUS – Museum of Art and Urbanity Shanghai.
Wu Yaming, Spring Time Fills The Valley, 68 x 68 cm, Ink on paper, 2013, RMB 170,000 starting bid
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"When I was 18 I painted like Leonardo, it's taken me 65 years to learn to paint like a child". So said Picasso in his later years in life. Wu Yaming embodies this spirit. As his work matures, it simultaneously rejuvenates. Taking the age-old landscape theme of springtime in the Chinese tradition, his work’s sprightliness and vitality propel the art form right into the present.
Wu Yaming, a well-known Chinese contemporary landscape painter, is a true master of “ink on paper”. Wu started painting in 1959 at the Imperial Palace Museum. For the last 45 years he has been dedicated to painting; learning the essence from his predecessors, but without becoming bound by traditional approaches. In his works, there are reflections of Buddhist culture, Zen, and an unconventional freedom that is deeply rooted in his heart.Wu Yaming's landscape paintings are highly regarded both in China and abroad. He has had multiple exhibitions including those at the United Nations, and in Japan and the U.S. His collectors include U.S. former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former Japanese Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and King of Thailand, King Bhumibhol.
PENINSULA IN PINK BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Peninsula in Pink Campaign
For the fourth consecutive year, The Peninsula Hotels is showing its support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October with “Peninsula in Pink”, a group-wide campaign to raise awareness and funds through select, pink-themed food and beverage offers and spa treatments.
The Peninsula Beijing will work closely with the China Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds by participating in breast cancer awareness walks, runs and other activities, together with a range of additional initiatives including leaflets placed in guest rooms and public areas as well as seminars for female guests and hotel staff. An exclusive “Peninsula in Pink” ribbon pin has also been designed to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is available for sale at the hotel, with a donation for each pin sold.
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ABOUT THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI HOTELS, LIMITED (HSH)
Incorporated in 1866 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (00045), The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development, and management of prestigious hotels and commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, club management and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Peninsula Manila, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, and The Peninsula Paris. Projects under development include The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Yangon. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and St. John’s Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 1-5 Grosvenor Place in London, UK, and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The clubs and services portfolio of the Group includes The Peak Tram in Hong Kong; Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand; Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California; Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.
For further information, please contact:
Ms Cathie Yang
Director of Public Relations
The Peninsula Beijing
Telephone : +86 (10) 8516 2888 extension 6627
Fax : +86 (10) 6510 6308
E-mail :
Website : www.peninsula.com
Digital Photo Library : www.peninsula.com/pdl
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