Watercolours on pith paper are a type of export painting produced in Canton during the Qing dynasty. They are affectionately called 'postcards of the East', and were much prized in the West. Pith paper is a thin sheet made by slicing the pith of the Tetrapanax papyrifer plant. The paintings feature an array of subject matters reflecting China's customs and lifestyles in the late Qing dynasty. Another type of export painting uses Bodhi leaves as a medium. To be ready for painting, the Bodhi leaves are first soaked in an alkaline solution to remove their green colour, then scraped and trimmed. With the unique shape, veins and folds of the leaves, this type of painting depicts various patterns and themes with vibrant colours. These exquisite pith paintings and Bodhi leaf paintings from the Qing dynasty were commercial products and testify to the exciting history of cultural exchange between China and the West.
Now, you can see these paintings in person at Focus: Integration of Art between China and the West in the 18th-19th Centuries. Additionally, you can experience creating one under an expert’s guidance. Zhang Jing, a doctoral student in fine arts from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts with years of extensive research on watercolour pith paintings, is invited by the MAM to lead a series of activities for visual arts instructors and the Friends of MAM that will explore these two kinds of painting techniques.
Instructor
Zhang Jing is committed to researching, restoring, and innovating watercolour pith painting techniques. She excels in creating contemporary pith paintings and restoring pith paintings from the Qing dynasty. She is a doctoral student in fine arts at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, a professional lecturer, the deputy director of the Guangzhou Pith Art Committee, and the director of the Thirteenth Hong Cultural Promotion Association.
Activities for Friends of MAM
● Bodhi leaf painting workshop
The instructor will introduce the historical origins and the appreciation of Bodhi leaf paintings, as well as Bodhi leaf processing methods. After a painting technique demonstration, participants will create Bodhi leaf paintings by emulating the instructor’s work, and take their work home as souvenirs.
Activities and Registration Information
1st session: 29/06/2024 (Sat) 10:00-13:00
2nd session: 29/06/2024 (Sat) 14: 30-17:30
Venue: Art Square (Ground floor of Handover Gifts Museum of Macao)
Language: Mandarin
Target participants: Members of Friends of MAM aged 13 or above
Quotas: 25 participants
Registration date: 19/06 - 25/06/2024 (registration starts 10:00, 19/06/2024)
Registration method:
UsingActivity Registration System of the Macao One Account ; admission by drawing lots; announcement of admission list on 26/06/2024. Members can only register for one of the activities.
● Pith painting workshop
The instructor will introduce the emergence of export pith paintings in Canton during the Qing dynasty, provide an overview of the export studios, and compare the production methods of pith paper and papyrus. The instructor will use the exhibits as examples, allowing participants to experience pith paintings through emulation. Participants can also take their completed works home as souvenirs.
Activities and Registration Information
1st session: 06/07/2024 (Sat) 14: 30-17:30
2nd session: 07/07/2024 (Sun) 10:00-13:00
3rd session: 07/07/2024 (Sun) 14: 30-17:30
Venue: Art Square (Ground floor of Handover Gifts Museum of Macao)
Language: Mandarin
Target participants: Members of Friends of MAM aged 13 or above
Quotas: 25 participants
Registration date: 26/06 - 02/07/2024 (registration starts 10:00, 19/06/2024)
Registration method:
UsingActivity Registration System of the Macao One Account ; admission by drawing lots; announcement of admission list on 03/07/2024. Members can only register for one of the activities.
Notes
- ‘Activities for Friends of MAM’ is specially designed for those who have joined‘Friends of MAM’ membership program. To apply for membership, please visit our website. For other inquiries, please call 8791 9814.
- Interested parties can visit the activity application section on the ‘Macau One Account’ mobile app or website for activity information, application, cancellation, application procedures and admission results. They can also check their schedules and receive activity reminders in the section ‘My to-do list’.
- Successful applicants who cannot attend the activity should cancel their place 48 hours before the activity day through the ‘Macao One Account’. Their place will be taken by those on the waiting list. Successful applicants from the waiting list will be notified by text or phone call.
Notes for activity
- The successful applicants may not be accepted for similar activities in the future if any of the below situations occur:
- - Failing to attend the activity without prior cancellation.
- - Arriving more than 20 minutes late.
- If typhoon signals No. 8 or above are still hoisted three hours before the event starts, it will be automatically cancelled without further notice.
- Participants can bring handsleeves and aprons according to their personal needs.
- The staff will film and photograph the activities for the purpose of event recording and future promotional purposes.
Remarks
- Members participating in the Friends of MAM activities will receive two stamps. Please get the stamps from the reception on the 1st floor of MAM on the day of the activity. By participating in MAM events, members can collect stamps on their Stamp Collecting Card and redeem them for different gifts.
- For the latest updates, please visit the website of MAM. MAM reserves the right to the final decision.