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PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA TUESDAY, 31 MARCH 1981
OPENING OF THE CHINESE CLASSICAL PAINTINGS EXHIBITION
( Delivered for the Prime Minister by-the Minister for Hoame
Affairs and Environment, Mr. Ian Wilson)
It is impossible to stand in the presence of these priceless
works spanning 600 years without being reminded of the intrinsic
worth and value of human beings. We can see the worth and
the greatness of mankind both in the people who are depicted.
in these works, and in the artists whose work they are.
The paintings are Chinese but they speak with a universal
voice. They reveal something of the history and the ongoing
development of Chinese culture and civilisation, yet at
the same time we can all enter into the spirit of these works.
They are unique because they are part of a unique tradition,
but they complement and are complemented by other unique artistzic
productions which are in their turn parts of other unique
traditions. This is a truly magnificent collection of paintings, a
magnificent exhibition. We have here paintings of the Ming
and the Qing dynasties, spanning the 24th to the
centuries, 600 years of one of the longest national art
traditions in world history.
Before I say... anything else, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me
say through you to the people of Australia that we have here
a remarkable opportunity,. and privilege, to view one of the
finest artistic exhibitions which has ever been assembled.
I have no doubt that hundreds of thousands of Australians
will make sure that they see this exhibition, 600,000 people
attended the Chinese archaeological exhibition which was
brought to this country in 1977 and that must surely have
whetted our appetites for more. This exhibition certainly
provides Australians with a great deal more.
The paintings in this superb exhibition belong to a
tradition which has its origins in ancient China and yet is
still evident in modern Chinese art. An historical exhibition
such as this provides not only a bridge between our respective
peoples and cultures, but also a bridge across thousands of
years of Chinese culture. Works included in this exhibition
have been drawn from museums of twelve provinces and cities,
and in particular from the Palace Museum in Peking. The
works included illustrate not only the greatn * ess of the
individual artists, but also the range of skills of the
Chinese schools, especially those of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
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Mr Chairman, we are doubly privileged onr-this occasion. For
not only do we have this magnificent exhibition of paintings,
but we are also delighted to be able to welcome the members
of the Chinese delegation which has come to Australia for this
special event. The Delegation is led by Mr Peng Yan, Deputy
Director of the Palace Museum in Peking. Accompanying Mr Peng
are two distinguished scholars from the Palace Museum,
Mr Xu Bang-da, a classical painting researcher and Mr Tian Xui,
an expert in classical painting history. We are delighted to
have with us these distinguished guests representing the
Bureau of Archaelogical Relics, and the Overseas Archaeological,,.-
Exhibition Corporation of The People's Republic of China.
These two organisations have arranged for the collection to
be made-available for this tour of Australia.
It is also my pleasure to welcome on this occasion the
Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Mr Lin Ping and*
Mrs Lin Ping, and Mr Xu Zhongling and Mr Ai Zhigao who are
specialist curators advising on the care and display of the
art works during the tour.
The broad idea that an exhibition of Chinese classical paintings
might be gathered together and made available for a tour of
Australia arose several years ago in the early days of the
development of cultural exchange arrangements between Australia
and the People's Republic of China. In 1977, the Australia
Council entered into some specific discussions which were
reinforced at Ministerial level by the then Minister for Home Affairs,
who visited China in 1979. Detailed arrangements were carried
forward by the Australian Embassy in Peking. Further stimulus was
given to the project when Edmund Capon, a leading London authority
on Chinese art and now Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales,
became a consultant to advise on the content of the exhibition.
Mr. Capon has ' chaired the Planning Committee and written the
exhibition catalogue in partnership with Dr. Pang, Curator of
Asian Art at the National Gallery of Victoria, and I would like
to say what an outstanding catalogue it is.
This exhibition is more than just an opportunity for Australians
to view a great collection of Chinese paintings, it is a landmark
in the developing links between China and Australia links that
are cultural as well as economic.
I believe that this exhibition-will stimulate the ongoing
programme of important exchanges between our two countries,
exchanges between our peoples as well as between our cultures.
We have already had the opportunity in Australia to welcome and
enjoy a number of Chinese tours, including the archaeological
exhibition to which I have already referred. In the past the
Chinese people have welcomed many of our artists and performers
and we now look forward to increases in the number and variety
of exhibitions and performances by Australians in China. A small
Australian photographic exhibition is * currently touring China.
I am told that is is proving to be a great s uccess and that people
are flocking to see the display. This indicates that there is
a genuine mutuality of interest between the Chinese and the
Australian people. it shows that our cultural exchange programme
has a sound basis, because it reflects and helps develop the
concerns and interests of the people of both our countries. 9. 9/ 3
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would add that this exhibition has aroused great interest
in the Australian-Chinese community and many of its members
are participating in the presentation of something that is an
integral part of their cultural heritage. I say let us have
more of these exchanges which increase mutual understanding
of our countries and our cultures, and which increase contact.
between our peoples.
The arrangement and management of this exhibition is the
first production if I might use that word of the
International Cultural Corporation of Australia. This is a new.
organisation created by the Federal Government under the---
Chairmanship of Mr. Jim Leslie and With directors drawn from
the private sector and the arts.
The objective of the Government in establishing this Corporation
was to provide the machinery for the public and private sectors
to join in the planning and presentation of major international
cultural projects.
The Government's role in the operations of the Corporation is
to underwrite ventures such as this. -Accordingly, the Government
has indemnified the works in this exhibition for a sum in
excess of $ 55 million. The Government is pleased to provide
such underwriting, so that the people of Australia can enjoy
the best of the arts of other countries.
The Cultural Corporation has made a fine start and I know it
intends to maintain the highest standards in the exhibitions
which it brings to Australia in the future.
The request of the Corporation to BHP to sponsor this exhibition
brought an immediate and generous response from Sir James McNe. Lll
and his-~ colleagues on the BHP board. We are indebted to BHP
for its recognition of the place of the arts in promoting
international goodwill and understanding. Assistance in bringing
the exhibition to Australia has also been provided by the
Australia -Council, -and* by -the Departments-of Foreign-Affairs,
and of Home Affairs and Environment. The Australia-China Council
has also assisted this project as part of its ongoing programme
in support of Australia-China relations.
The exhibition will visit Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne
following its debut here in Sydney. It is the policy of the
Corporation that its exhibitions should be shown in as many
cities as possible, and the wide exposure-that will be given------
to these paintings is the result of close co-operation between
the Corporation and the State Galleries.
We are delighted that this exhibition will be in Australia for
ten months and we are indebted to the Archaeological Relics
Bureau of the People's Republic of China for this extended visit.
I also thank the Chinese Government for permitting these works
to travel abroad at all. It is the first time that such permission
has been given, and we take this as a mark of Chinese confidence
and esteem for Australia. / 4
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This exhibition has a scholarly component associated with
it and I have no doubt that this will enhance the depth
of its impact.
The Corporation has arranged, in association with the Art
Gallery of New South Wales, an international seminar on
Chinese painting which will bring experts from several countries
to focus attention on the exhibition.
Among the distinguished visitors here with us this evening,
are Mr. Wu Zuoren and Madame Xiao Shufang who are among
China's leading contemporary artists. Mr. Wu is also
Vice-Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art
Circles, and a Deputy of the National People's Congress.
Mr. Wu and Madame Xiao are the guests of the Australia-China Council.
They are spending some time in Australia viewing the landscape
and meeting with local artists and scholars.
The fact that this unique exhibition is appearing in Australia O
reflects the excellent state of Australia-China relations.
We confidently expect that contacts and exchanges between our
countries will be further strengthened with the concluding in
the near future of an agreement on cultural co-operation between
Australia and China. The proposed agreement provides for
co-operation between Australia and China in the field of culture,
including the arts, crafts, media, sport and education. We
welcome the growth in our relationship which this reflects.
It gives me great pleasure to formally open this exhibition
and to wish it a successful tour of Australia.
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