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explorASIAN Festival Blog

Monday, May 5, 2008

NEW: City of Richmond Celebrates Asian Heritage Month


Richmond residents can celebrate our multicultural community this May by taking part in Asian Heritage Month activities.

In Richmond and across the country, the Government of Canada has designated the month of May as Asian Heritage Month. Together the City and community groups will celebrate Pan-Asian arts and culture and explore Asian heritage and traditions.

Asian Elements of Britannia- Guided Walk
May 10 1:00-2:30pm
Britannia Heritage Shipyards
Learn the stories behind the Murakami House and Boatworks, Richmond Boatworks, Chinese Bunkhouse, and the Japanese Duplex buildings at Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site. Parents must accompany children.
All Ages Free (must be booked in advance)
For more information, call 604-718-8050


Hong Wo Store Exhibition
May to June
This Steveston store served the community of cannery workers and fishermen for 60 years. Hong Wo, “Living in Harmony” store, was established in 1904 by Tung Ling Lam.
Richmond Museum
7700 Minoru Gate
All Ages
Free


Kala Utsav - Indian Arts Benefit For Global Relief
May 10 7:00-9:30pm
Richmond Cultural Centre 7700 Minoru Gate
All Ages $18 Adults, $12 Seniors and Students, Children under five- free
Proceeds go to the Canadian Red Cross


Musicians Master Class
May 22 7:00pm
Meet master musicians sitar player Shubhendra Rao and Cellist Saskia Rao de Hass, two of the foremost Classical Indian instrumentalists working today. Come and meet them and learn more about their craft. A rare opportunity to learn directly from two world class musicians.
Richmond Cultural Centre 7700 Minoru Gate
All Ages Free


"The Good Asian Drivers Tour"
Melissa Li is a singer-songwriter who has been performing for over 8 years. She and her tour partner, nationally recognized transgendered slam poet Kit Yan, are going on a cross-country road tour this spring and summer. The tour strives to inspire youth and provoke dialogue on gay rights, transgendered issues, feminism, and the marginalization of minorities. Presented by explorASIAN.
May 3 8:00-10:00pm
Richmond Cultural Centre 7700 Minoru Gate
Free admission - Limited seating
16+yrs
For more information, call 604-247-4391


Richmond Library Services Asian Heritage Months Events:

The Doctor who was Followed by Ghosts (1 hour)
May 1 7:00pm
This lively presentation and slide show about Dr. Li Qunying recounts the political, economic and cultural turmoil that existed in 20th century China. Presented by Louis Han. In English only. Registration required. (Max 35)
Brighouse Meeting Room

Introduction to Asian Culture (2 hours)
May 4 3:00pm
In partnership with The Royal Thai Consulate. These presentations aim to enhance people's understanding of the different Asian cultures. Sessions provided in English only. Registration required. (Max 60)
Brighouse Program Room

In addition, the following sessions are offered in partnership with the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society.

May 2 7:00 pm Introduction to Korean Culture-
May 22 6:30 pm Introduction to Filipino Culture
May 27 7:00 pm Introduction to Indian Culture
Brighouse Program Room
For more information on any service offered by Richmond Library Services please call 604-231-6413.


Richmond Art Gallery Asian Heritage Months Events
Richmond Art Gallery 7700 Minoru Gate
RAG hours: M-F 10am-6pm, Sa-Su 10:00am-5:00pm
For more information, call 604-247-8300

Art Gallery Exhibition Tours in Mandarin
Apr 26-Apr 27 10:30am to 4:30pm
In co-operation with Doors Open
16+yrs Free

“Donated Organ” Amy Chang
Apr 26 – Jun 1
Considers global citizenship and the value of human life. Chang’s ceramic works directly evoke the international organ market. The gangs or groupings of individual pieces are at once attractive and repulsive, playful and unsettling.
16+ yrs Free

“Water, Rice and Bowl” Tomoyo Ihaya
Apr 26 – Jun 1 2008
Ihaya’s mixed media installation presents an assemblage of drawings, stuffed paper figures and found objects developed through the artist’s travels to India and Mexico and her immersion in those cultures.
16+ yrs Free

Richmond Art Gallery Family Sunday
Apr 27 and May 25 1:00-4:00pm
Family Sunday is a free drop in art program for parents and children on the 4th Sunday of the month
Richmond Art Gallery 7700 Minoru Gate
All Ages Free thanks to the RBC Foundation.

For more information about Asian Heritage Month in Richmond, please contact 604-276-4391 or download the Richmond Asian Heritage Month schedule at www.richmond.ca/events

NEW: Solo Works of Shyh-Charng Lo - May 9 to June 27


OPENING: Friday, May 9, 2008, 3-6pm, Shyh-Charng Lo in Attendance

Art Beatus is delighted to present the emotive and moving landscape works of Vancouver-based artist, Shyh-Charng Lo. “Solo Works of Shyh-Charng Lo” starts May 9, 2008 and runs through to June 27, 2008. Coinciding with the annual festivities of Asian Heritage Month in May, the artist’s recent oil on canvas paintings of Vancouver’s ocean, mountain and sky will be featured with hopes to inspire feelings of renewal and the freshness of the Spring season. A reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibition will be held on Friday, May 9, 2008 from 3pm to 6pm. The public is encouraged to attend, not only to view the works but to meet the artist who will be present at the opening.

When looking at Shyh’s paintings, one is often presented a glimpse of the various angles and changing seasons through the artist’s window – the lush landscape which surrounds his home on the Westside of Vancouver is routinely the subject matter for his paintings. Lo’s works which are slightly abstracted versions of the landscape around him, are based on the feeling and essence of his surroundings, not the actual objects. His paintings are commonly referred to as tranquil, bringing peace and quietude to the viewer. This seems somehow reflective of the artist who frequently conveys his ongoing communicative relationship with nature. His constant awareness of the natural beauty around him is his inspiration and motivates him to express his connection with this particular beauty onto the canvas.

“A monologue becomes a dialogue with nature, not only helping me to express something deep at the bottom of my heart, but also opening a gate for my inner feelings to be comforted. My landscape painting has been simplified to basic forms and shapes for compositional and structural purposes and meditates on my relationship with my surroundings, articulating a perspective of inner peace, serenity and sometimes solitude”.

Shyh was born in 1945 in Nagano, Japan and moved a year later to Hsin-chu, Taiwan with his parents. While he showed artistic talent at a young age, he was never formally educated in art. When he was accepted into the National Taiwan University (the highest-ranked educational institution at the time), he chose the field of archaeology and anthropology. No art programs existed during this period of time at the institution and it was as close as he could come to studying art. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1970, he moved to Vancouver for graduate studies at the University of British Columbia. Upon receiving his Master’s, he traveled to Toronto to pursue museum training which eventually led to a position with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Throughout his studies and years of employment, Shyh continued to paint in his own time. His love of art grew stronger over the years and after a decade of working at the Royal Ontario Museum, he made the very daring decision to leave his job and dedicate all his time to painting. In 1989, he and his family moved back to Vancouver where they settled into their home in the Point Grey area. Shyh-Charng Lo has since established himself as a very respectable artist and the varying changes in scenery outside his windows continue to be a never-ending source of inspiration. Mr. Lo has had numerous exhibitions and his work can be found in the international collections of assorted institutions and private art collectors.

Art Beatus, with a location in Vancouver, Canada and two locations in Hong Kong, showcases international art with a focus on contemporary Chinese art.

Art Beatus (Vancouver) is located in the Nelson Square Office Tower at 108 – 808 Nelson Street.

For more information, please contact Tamla Mah or Akemi Kojihata by email to info@artbeatus.com or by telephone at 604.688.2633