From November 28 to December 1, an exhibition showcasing new and award winning clay sculptures by China’s Henan province master sculptor Zhao Enmin and outstanding apprentice sculptors, was on display at the SSA Headquarters.
In addition, an exquisite selection of snuff bottles by Hebei province master Li Shouxun and the Longyi School, was also on display. These snuff bottles featured lively artwork that were hand painted within the bottles by renowned Chinese masters. A range of post Republic period sculptures was also featured together with the two masters’ work.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition held on November 28 attended by some 80 grassroots leaders and guests, SSA Chairman Ong Bon Chai, Master Zhao Enmin, and Mr Ravinder Manocha, also unveiled a bust of SGI President Ikeda that was personally sculpted by Master Zhao Enmin in dedication to the SGI President for his 81st birthday in January 2009.
In his speech, SSA Chairman Mr Ong shared, “The exhibits on display reflect feelings of joy, strength and nostalgia of both a young child and the senior, giving all who view a different perspective of life through these clay sculptures. … art pieces displayed in this exhibition, it brings out the life force and beauty of the human spirit.
This exhibition was jointly held by SSA, together with private art collectors, Ravinder & Grace S. Manocha. It was free for public viewing over the weekend. Some 1,500 people visited the exhibition during its showing.
[Artist Zhao Enmin has gained international recognition for his unique talent of his art. He was also appointed to one of 30 highly coveted positions as Cultural Ambassadors for China. In January, The Zhengzhou Government gave him a special award to recognize his art and his contribution as a role model in developing cultural growth in Henan province. A special half hour documentary on the life and art of Zhao Enmin which was produced by the award winning television series “The Witness” was shown on national television.
He recently received a special UNESCO award and commendation for excellence in his art and his outstanding contribution to the development of art and culture in China. His multiple works called “That Year that Month” was again awarded the prestigious Gold award during the 9th China Art and Craft Masters awards. One of the group series of works has been collected by the China Art museum in Beijing and another sculpture which also won a gold award in October and titled “Friendship ‘is part of the official collection of the Intellectual Property Protection Board and the Beijing Museum Art and Craft Museum.]
