CHINESE TRANSLATION SPECIALISTS

With paintings worth millions, this collection of contemporary Chinese art which opened on Friday 30 September and runs until 29 January 2012 is a must see. The National Museum in Canberra is hosting A New Horizon from the National Art Museum of China.  The 70 plus works reflect the monumental changes in China from happy faces during Chairman Mao’s early years to 21st Century modern China and more experimental art forms, to the equivalent of scar literature.

The exhibition is a celebration of Chinese culture in Australia. Some of China’s most important 20th Century artists are featured.  One that sticks in my mind is by Shen Jiawei – an 11 metre long work titled Red Star Over China – including a cameo by Edgar Snow who appears in the painting along with many other historic figures.

I was privileged to work as the Official Interpreter for the visit by executives from the Museum including an introduction, which brought the works to life, by the Chinese Director.  He also delivered a lecture on art which played to a full house. Sometimes the work of an interpreter brings wonderful insights, as opposed to the day-in-day-out business deals, disputes and desires that pretty much sum up the various stages of interaction businesses go through with China. Here is an opportunity to break away and gain an understanding of Chinese history through art

Find out more: http://nma.gov.au/exhibitions/a_new_horizon/