Collection of Oil Paintings of Contemporary Chinese Students is organized by  the P. J. Olivier Art Centre and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts.

The P.J. Olivier Art Centre, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in South Africa, is hosting an exhibition of an exquisite Chinese State Collection of 'Oil paintings by Contemporary Chinese Students', sponsored by Huawei Technologies Africa(Pty) Ltd. 

The opening of this prestigious exhibition is on 7 June 2012 at the P. J. Olivier Art Centre. The opening speaker is Mr. Tong Defa, actng Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Cape Town. 

According to Chinese authorities, the first oil painting was introduced to China in 1579, when Western missionaries arrived there to spread Christianity.   They not only brought paintings reflecting scenes of Christ and Christianity, but also sowed the seeds of oil painting in China.  Over four hundred years, Chinese oil painting has been faced by turbulent times and conflicts between the native culture and foreign trends of thought, and stood up to the social transformation and historical changes.   Comparing to the past, contemporary Chinese oil painting has been localised and has become a prominent part in oil painting circles around the world. 

It may not be easy to comprehend the past, present and future development of the arts of a particular nation, judged over a rather limited period.   However, an exhibition of paintings by graduates from the academies of fine arts may provide a fairly trusted vehicle to arrive at that end.   Creations of these graduates reflect the transition as well as future development of the arts in their country.   As the works of art of art graduates display the quality of art education in their country, they also, to some extent, prove the country's accomplishments and consolidate its position in the global realm or art.   For an individual artist, his/her graduation works are not only the first major expression of his/her creativity but also an explosive manifestation of personal talent.   More often than not, those works become masterpieces and even help in building his/her reputation as an artist, attracting the attention of both critics and collectors. 

This exhibition consists of 60 excellent pieces by talented graduates from the prestigious academies of fine arts in China, created during the past two years.   Some of these outstanding young artists are most likely to become the future leaders of the art world in China.   In this regard, this exhibition provides a glimpse of the prospects and future development of oil painting in the People's Republic of China. 

The exhibition will be on show at the P. J. Olivier Art Centre, from the 8^th of June to 30^thof June. Gallery hours:  Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 16:00.  For more information please contact the Art Centre at 021 886 4854.