"Falling in Love with the North Bund" International Watercolor and Oil Painting Invitational Exhibition Opened at Magnolia Plaza
What kind of surprises and sparks will be brought by nearly 60 renowned watercolor and oil painting artists both domestically and internationally strolling on the North Bund and creating sketches from life? On September 21st, the international watercolor and oil painting invitation exhibition "Falling in Love with the North Bund" opened at the highest building in Puxi, the Magnolia Plaza.
The North Bund is the starting point for Chinese people to open their eyes and see the world. The Li Cha Hotel, which gave birth to China's first electric light, first telephone, and first semi audio movie, has the "First Hall of the Far East" Shanghai Postal Building, and the "First Apartment in Asia" Riverside Building. Old buildings carrying historical memories have become important landmarks in the urban context. Nowadays, it is also one of the best viewing platforms for Shanghai's century old charm and achievements in reform and opening up. In the future, the North Bund will also be developed into a world-class waterfront area with global influence. The natural landscape and cultural scenery complement each other, and historical buildings intertwine with the new and old urban skyline.
Mao Shi'an, the academic host and former vice chairman of the China Artists Association, introduced that Shanghai is the birthplace of modern Chinese watercolor and oil painting. As the birthplace of Shanghai style culture, the birthplace of advanced culture, and the gathering place of cultural celebrities, Hongkou is also a fertile ground for the development of watercolor culture. Since 2022, the National Famous Sketching Activity "Falling in Love with the North Bund" has been divided into six phases, inviting domestic and foreign famous artists to come to the North Bund to create under the morning glow, under the illumination of lanterns and starry sky. "Everything on the North Bund is like a magnificent symphonic music, deeply infecting and moving the hearts of every artist. Their footsteps cover the streets and alleys of the North Bund. I have witnessed their focused gaze and fully immersed figure when creating, which has become a timeless and charming scenery of the North Bund."
"'Falling in Love with the North Bund 'is an important cultural event. Through this event, I will introduce the artistic charm of Shanghai's North Bund to the International Watercolor Masters Association and global watercolor painters. Through watercolor art, I will spread the culture of the North Bund to various parts of the world. Joseph Zubkovich, a well-known Australian watercolor painter, demonstrated his love for the North Bund with simple language and touching works.". Joseph Zubkovich is one of the master level leaders of contemporary watercolor impressionism, particularly skilled in outdoor sketching, with a unique "contracted gray tone" that leaves a deep impression.
It is reported that renowned painters have created over 160 works based on three series: "Sea Scenery", "Sea Charm", and "Sea Scenery". The painting content covers the landmark landscape of the North Bund, historical relics protection buildings, cultural and historical styles, historical and cultural celebrities, as well as classic historical stories and cultural relics. In addition to using Magnolia Square as the main exhibition hall, this exhibition will also be exhibited at the Shanghai Building, China Securities Museum, Shanghai Jewish Refugee Memorial Hall, and China Leftist Writers Alliance Memorial Hall.
