China trip, what can I do for you

[SB Wang]

Chinese Art Gallery holds an exhibition for its 40 years anniversary, 100 Chinese master artists represent the Chinese fine arts of 100 years, the last century. It is a fixed show like other museums.

Also at this gallery, "The Era of Openess", is a show of works by 126 artists, who were born after 1940, divided by five points of views.

The curator is Mr.Yang Lizhou. If you have a special research project, you might mention me as well, from Shanxi province, same as him, you might have a chance to see some works in storage.

The Palace Museum has a gallery. At Chinese Revolutionary Military Museum, you will see works by the top oil painter He Kongde.

You knew that 2008 Olympic will be in Beijing, there are many international art exhibitions, contests, art projects in many cities as well. Your children might apply a position at that game.
The emblem of this game is in the form of a seal, a part of traditional Chinese culture. (Contact through my email if you want a seal of your name, engraved on precious stone by professional).

I'll have a trip to China. (Oct.22-Nov.17) I wish I could meet you in Beijing this time or in the future. I will be glad to offer my assistance. I'm writing a book on comparing words of Chinese and English in a simple and interesting way.

[Steven Sweeney]

You are very gracious and generous.

Having lived in Taiwan and visited many sites in mainland China (including Beijing), I find your invitation surprisingly interesting. I say

[SB Wang]

Dear Mr. Sweeney and all of you:

Greeting from Beijing!

You will regret not to come here.
S.B.Wang

[Steven Sweeney]

Nin hao, S.B.

Best wishes,
Steven

[Lynn T. McCallum]

Glad to hear you made it okay!

Enjoy yourself!

Lynn

[SB Wang]

Dear Cynthia, Steven, Lynn and all of you:
Now I'm at Beijing University, the most beautiful campus in the world.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Very cool! Glad to hear from you and glad you arrived safely!

[SB Wang]

Thank you, Cynthia:
I intended to ask Mr. He Kong De, the best oil painter in China to write to SOG, but at age 78 and in severe heart desease. I've met his colleague, Pen Bin, whose story is more interesting. I'll tell my Beijing experiense later. (rewrited in Charlotte)

[SB Wang]

Dec.26,2003 will be Mao Zedong's 110 years birthday.
For Chinese PLA (army) artist Peng Bin, Mao is still his hero. Peng, joined in revolution army in 1940 at age 13. In 1965, Peng's work, first in history depicting Mao and Lin Biao in the Long March, caused nation-wide sensation. His director suggested that not making a likeness of Lin, because of power struggle, who will be in power is uncertain, but he refused. A year later, Lin became the second powerful leader.

Since 1968 Peng was persecuted, jailed for ten years because his involving in the Cultural Revolution (not by his art). After Lin's losing favour and death, and after 6 years of vacancy of literate and art, Mao's wife initiated national art shows in 1972, Peng with two colleagues, He Kongde and Gao Hong, (now, He is in hospital, Gao's hands are shaking) painted another work about Mao, displayed at the center of gallery.

In 1978, Peng's work was in a prominent spot again, for his painting of Mao and chosen successor Hua, was selected from over forty works of same theme by other artists. (Hua stepped down 3 years later). Hearing this news, his tears were pouring out, that means he resumed a political life ahain. Peng's works were almost like milestones, before the breakout and conclusion of the Cultural Revolution, while most of the time he was behind iron bars.

While still in jail, he started contriving another major work, using used matches as tool. Mao is in the center, but many of those subjects in that painting, politburo members, generals, like Peng, were still in jail, and were Lin's opponent. A year later, the major newspaper wanted his work, then still a drawing, could not be waited to be painted by oil, be published.

That is Peng's tough life. Peng looks twenty years younger than his age. (in 1975, his wife, one of Mao's political secretaries, divorced him and married with a general, died this year by cancer, Peng never married again). When I visited his studio, a new painting is on the way, he, as usual, will be the first one to painting Mao with his enemy and opponent in Chong Qin Negotiation, Chiang Kai-shek, as a positive figure.
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[Michele Rushworth]

Thanks for posting this. Is there anywhere on the web where we can see his work?