Chinese "masterpieces" in Mexico unite ancient with modern, China with world

More than 150 masterpieces of Chinese art were put on display at Mexico City's San Ildefonso museum on Wednesday, as part of the Year of China-Latin America Cultural Exchange.

The exhibit "Masterpieces from the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC)," features 151 works of contemporary and folk art in a range of media, from modern oil paintings to traditional watercolors, sculpture, intricate paper cuttings, masks and shadow puppets.

"I really believe that this can increase our dialogue and allow Mexico to find out a little more about Chinese art," renowned Chinese sculptor and director of NAMOC, Wu Weishan, told reporters at a press conference before the opening of the exhibit.

"It is a project we are very happy to be able to bring (to Mexico), as it is a true union between the ancient and the modern, a union between China and the rest of the world," said Wu.

The exhibit offers "an excellent opportunity to appreciate the new cultural expressions and vibrant popular traditions (of China), a source of inspiration for the new generations of Chinese artists," executive coordinator of San Ildefonso Bertha Cea said at the press conference.

"Masterpieces" is the first exhibition of its type in Mexico, Cea added, given the quality, quantity and variety of Chinese works on display.

Jointly organized by the NAMOC and San Ildefonso, and with support from the Chinese Embassy in Mexico, the show also reflects the close cultural ties between the two countries, the cultural attache of the Chinese Embassy Zhuang Lixiao said.

"You could say China-Mexico cultural cooperation is at its peak," said Zhuang, noting an increase in the number of Chinese artists who have performed recently in Mexico, and the recent founding of the China Cultural Center in Mexico.

"Masterpieces" was organized as part of the 2016 Year of China-Latin America Cultural Exchange, and the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Mexico and China, to be celebrated on Feb. 14, 2017.

A statue of a smiling Confucius, sculpted by Wu, welcomes visitors to the exhibit, which will be supplemented by a series of talks and workshops on various aspects of Chinese art and culture, including calligraphy and traditional medicine.

The exhibit runs through Feb. 19, 2017. Endi