Silent Poetry: Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition will make its way to Artspace Gallery at Adelaide Festival Centre this Summer in one of the first ever touring initiatives from the recently opened China Cultural Centre in Sydney. Curated by Mr. Zhao Li, who was curator for the China Pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale, the exhibition is a result of a collaboration with the Chinese Modern Contemporary Art Document Research Centre and Art Nova 100 in China.

Featuring 40 works by 18 young Chinese artists and media ranging from sculpture to drawing, ink on paper and silk, to oil paintings, the exhibition will be a stunning survey of contemporary Chinese life as seen through the eyes of the young. Viewers will gain an understanding of the place of contemporary art in Chinese life and a sense of the continual changes present in the times in which they live. The diverse expansion of each artists' creative development is evident, with influences on works ranging from historic traditions, life experiences, scientific development and environmental concerns. Silent Poetry: Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition communicates to Australian audiences the place that contemporary art has on life in China.

“It is important to note that one of the very first Australian touring initiatives of the new Chinese Cultural Centre which just recently opened in Sydney – is this fine exhibition shared with the Adelaide Festival Centre," Douglas Gautier, CEO and Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival Centre says.

Due to rapid social and economic development in China, "change" has become a prominent feature of social and artistic commentary in China, and this is evident in the works of the artists represented. Some of the artists use their surroundings and social life as the subject for their work, expressing changes in everyday life in artistic ways. This is a notable step away from the ancient and traditional artforms Australian audiences may expect from Chinese artists.

This collaboration between the two organisations underscores the strong and productive relationship that Adelaide Festival Centre has with its Chinese colleagues in many areas of creative activity. It also enhances those connections that have enabled the Festival Centre to be a principal driver of the cultural engagement program with our sister Chinese province of Shandong, which our Premier has so strongly embraced as a key component in South Australia's overall sister relationship with that great region of China."

Silent Poetry: Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition includes participating artists Chen Jiaye, Chen Jun, Cheng Baozhong, Chi Qun, Du Xiaotong, Guo Tianyi, Guo Zilong, Hao Shiming, Hu Wendan, Kang Jing, Li Wei, Peng Wei, Shi Guowei, Sun Hao, Cindy Ng Sio Ieng, Xu Jiacun, Yu Jidong and Zhang Zheyi.

About the exhibition

Duration: 19 Feb - 29 Mar 2015

Venue: Artspace Gallery, Adelaide Festival Centre

Opening Hours: 11:00 - 16:00(Wednesday - Sunday)

Tel: 61-8-82164444

Add: Festival Drive, off King William Road, Adelaide SA, Australia

Courtesy of the artists and the Adelaide Festival Centre, for further information please visit www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au.