Artist Mr. Yang Yixin Lectures on Learning History of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation from Silk Painting Scrolls

The International School of Huashang College cordially welcomed Mr. Yang Yixin, a Chinese-American artist, to lecture on Learning History of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation from  Silk Painting Scrolls. Held in the hall of Huashang Conference Center on November 16th, 2021; it was the 17th lecture of the Cultural Quality Lecture Series. Guests included Prof. Zhong Senwen, the Vice President of Guangzhou Huashang College and Mr. Wang Wenzhong, the Director of the International Exchange & Cooperation Office; Prof. Yu Huifen, the Dean of the International School; Prof. Li Pinghai, the Vice Dean of the International School; staff and students of the International School, and faculty and students interested in the topic.

Yang Yixin, a Chinese-American artist, learned from the American famous photographer Mr. Chen Hong. He serves as a member of the World Chinese Photography Society, the Chinese Great Wall Society and the Chinese Yellow River Photographer Association, and a Visiting Professor at Shantou University. He has devoted himself to the research and development of silk painting scrolls-a new art form combining western photography with Chinese ancient embroidery. In the past 20 years, he has created a number of unique silk painting works and produced numerous interview shots recording and reflecting the real stories.

Mr. Yang Yixin’s work Footprints-From Shaoshanchong to Zhongnanhai series was exhibited in 2011 at the Beijing Military Museum. He was interviewed by the Chinese World program on CCTV International Chanel, which was broadcast around the world in two parts. In 2019, he held an exhibition named the Move Toward Rejuvenation and Yang Yixin’s Silk Painting Scrolls in America, displaying his works series such as Chinese Heart and Footprints-From Liangjiahe to Zhongnanhai, and was interviewed by American Chinese TV and news media.

In this lecture, Mr. Yang Yixin spoke to the three series of silk painting scrolls: Footprints-From Liangjiahe to Zhongnanhai, Move Toward Rejuvenation, and Chinese Heart; combining with the history of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation to retell the moving stories reflected by these works. He presented his original silk painting scrolls and talked about his inspiration and significance, taking students on an audio and visual feast of the charm of the scrolls and realize the arduous journey of the Chinese nation to move toward rejuvenation.

Attendees Listening Attentively

The lecture started by inviting the audience to view the scrolls closely on the stage to get a clearly detailed understand of these works. Witnessing the exquisite and delicate paintings, students were amazed by the craftsmanship of the artist. Mr. Yang introduced the historical events and significance represented by the works: Journey of Friendship, Footprints-From Liangjiahe to Zhongnanhai, and Monument to the People’s Heroes. In addition, he mentioned that these paintings integrated traditional embroidery techniques with his photographic works. To assist learning, two videos were shown to help students better understand the painstaking photography process and the unique creating process of the scrolls. He hoped that students could appreciate the cultural atmosphere and the fighting spirit of the revolutionist through his speech.

Mr. Yang Yixin Displaying the Silk Painting Scrolls

Students Appreciating the Scrolls Cheerfully

During the speech, Mr. Yang lectured mainly from three series of works: Footprints-From Liangjiahe to Zhongnanhai, Move Toward Rejuvenation, and Chinese Heart. Some of the paintings demonstrate crucial historic moments recording the Chinese revolutionists’ struggle for national rejuvenation. From the informative and thought-provoking paintings, the audience understood the immortality of the revolutionary heroes and cherish the happy life nowadays. With patriotism and persistence, Mr. Yang stepped on the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and the Great Wall alone to capture the spectacular landscape, created these photographs into other silk paintings. He is dedicated to spreading these paintings throughout the world to help foreigners appreciate Chinese picaresque landscape and enhance the cultural confidence and patriotism of the Chinese people. Mr. Yang illustrated these scrolls emotionally and interacted with the audience actively.

Mr. Yang Yixin Explaining the Scrolls Passionately

In the closing, Dean Yu Huifen thanked Mr. Yang Yixin for his appealing and lively speech. She thought this lecture meaningful and infectious, which made students learn from the works and Mr. Yang’s patriotism, creative enthusiasm, as well as the fighting spirit. Besides, she believed students could not only enjoy the beauty of the art, but also experience the strength of good personality. Finally, she hoped students become a person with firm faith and strong will in the future.

Dean Yu Making Concluding Comments

After Dean Yu’s comments, the Vice President Zhong Senwen gave a concluding speech, he firstly acknowledged Mr. Yang Yixin for his coming and wonderful lecture. Then, he expressed his admiration for Mr. Yang’s perseverance and determination to the pursuit of art and believed that the impressive speech and marvelous works brought aesthetic enjoyment and spiritual baptism for the audience. In closing, the Vice President Zhong encouraged students to learn from Mr. Yang and persist in their dreams and make efforts to achieve them.

Vice President Zhong Senwen Giving a Concluding Speech

After the lecture, students freely enjoyed the silk painting scrolls, albums of painting other photo materials, and excitedly interacted with Mr. Yang, making the atmosphere pleasant and relaxing.

Mr. Yang Interacting with Students After the Lecture

Group Photo