Dear Member,

Our last meeting, with a demonstration by our Suzhou friend, Prof. Shen Mo, was a great success.

Society business was dismissed very rapidly with only a few items being brought up.

A donation to the Childrens's Hospital was voted down, our finances not being in the best of shape at the moment, and the idea of the magazine/catalogue still being very much in the pipeline, it was thought best to economize.

Concerning the Magazine, it was put to the Members that to help finance the project, anyone wishng to have more than one painting displayed in it should pay an extra amount. The suggestion was accepted by many Members.

The demonstration was most interesting. Shen Mo is no new comer to Sydney. During his last visit and Exhibition at the much missed Hui Yi Gallery of Chatswood, he had already shown some interest in painting Sydney's suburban houses, so when he asked us what we wished him to paint, an Australian theme was the most popular.

We had a slight problem with communication, our President and Vice-President being unable to attend the meeting, but Elizabeth Kwan, though not very fluent in Chinese, came to the rescue, and did a valiant job in explaining to us his aims and technique.

His style of painting is typical of the Suzhor School and delightful, some innovation to the style being the heavy use of mineral green and some colours mixed with white. His technique of painting trees has to be seen to be believed.

Which brings me to the next topic. Everyone was so enthralled by his painting that a suggestion was made that he could give us a workshop. Counting the hands that came up, it became apparent that one workshop would not be enough.

As we don't know the exact date of his return, and the next newsletter is not due until July, I suggest that any of you unable to come to the next meeting, get in touch with us and let us know of your interest. We can then get in touch with you as soon as we know something positive.

While we are on the subject of workshops, I know of many people who are interested in Andrew's technique to be domonstrated at the next meeting, so I suggest you let us know if you are interested in taking part in that also.

CORRESPONDENCE

I am glad to report that the Volunteer Ladies of the New Children's Hospital sent us a very nice letter thanking us for the many presents donated by you for the children at Christmas.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

We wish to welcome Lyn Hardie, Margaret Forgutt and Carole McMullen who have joined the Society recently. We hope they will find their membership fruitful and fulfilling.

And now to the great treat of the year!

FRAGRANT SPACE

An Exhibition of Chinese Flower and Bird Painting

of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

From the

Guandong Provincial Museum

5th May - 25th June

will be shown at the

Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Together with the Exhibition, there will be many other activities to delight those of us who have a passion for flower painting and flowers in general.

There is a Seminar on Saturday 13th May with talks on CHINESE GARDEN PLANTS AND CULTURAL IDENTITY by Ye Ziao Qing, INDIVIDUALS AND ECCENTRICS IN CHINESE FLOWER AND BIRD PAINTING by Edmund Capon, UNDERSTANDING CHINESE GARDEN PLANTS by Peter Valder and THE EXHIBITION "FRAGRANT SPACE" by Liu Yang.

The cost for all this is $15 and includes morning tea and exhibition entry.

There will be Sunday demonstrations at 3:15 pm by Sydney's best flower and fird painters on 21st May, 4th June and 25th June.

There will be many talks on topics associated with flowers and painting, films and SCROLL MOUNTING DEMONSTRATION. In brief something to delight everyone.

I suggest you pick up a brochure at the meeting or ring the

Centre for Asian Art Studies,

Art Gallery of New South Wales at 9223 1893.

And book early for any activity.

OTHER EXHIBITIONS OF INTEREST

At the

Chinese Cultural Centre

799 Pacific Highway

Chatswood

21st to 29th April - Chinese Painting and Calligraphy by artists from Beijing.

6th to 13th May - Chinese Painting Exhibition, again from Beijing.

The Centre is open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, but I would strongly advise you to ring before going. The phone number is 9411 3799.

We are thinking of mounting an exhibition of the works of the artists who demonstrated for us in the past. If this project were to go ahead, we will need lots of help. Any hands up?

Before closing may I remind you that as always, we need help and support and especially we need you to encourage your frinds and fellow students to join the Society.

I look forward to seeing you all on 6th May.

Your Secretary,

Mirra Hainsworth.