The soul of Shanghai at Solent Showcase gallery
Shanghai Women’s Art and Design Collective, the latest exhibition at Southampton Solent University’s Solent Showcase gallery, brings work from seven of Shanghai Institute of Technology’s female artists and lecturers free to the Southampton public.
Over the last five years the University’s School of Art, Design and Fashion has built up a close creative relationship with Shanghai Institute of Technology, and this latest exhibition captures the spirit of collaboration and friendship between east and west – illustrating how the shared rewards can provide benefit for all.
The exhibition’s diverse works cover areas such as issues of traditional and the contemporary, east and west, the environment and friendship. The Dialogue of East and West by Professor Wu Feifei, Dean of the Department of Visual Communication Design at SIT’s School of Art and Design, is a masterpiece of calligraphy that blends English and Chinese into one harmonious whole.
Qian Zhao’s colourful, superbly designed animals offer an alternative to western ‘Disney-esque’ anthropomorphisation. Guang Yang’s wonderful seascapes and patterns combine the past with a modern sensibility, while Frances Wang’s environmental concerns emerge clearly from her striking and forceful imagery.
The combination of patterns, shapes and calligraphy in Dandan Zhou’s work is beautifully realised; Xiaoling Dai’s superb line is both precise and expressive; Wenxia Wang’s dark work explores the internet and modern technology.
Peter Lloyd, Director of the School of Art, Design and Fashion at Southampton Solent University, commented: "I’m very proud to welcome our friends from Shanghai Institute of Technology, and honour their work in the Solent Showcase gallery. This international partnership enriches the school, and underpins the University’s commitment to providing an excellent teaching experience with an international focus."
“We hope staff, students and the public will learn much from this exciting showcase of graphic works and we are running a range of outreach projects designed to benefit the wider community in response to the show.”
Artists: Qian Zhao, Guang Yang, Frances Wang, Wu Feifei, Dandan Zhou, Xiaoling Dai, Wenxia Wang,
Where: Solent Showcase Gallery, Sir James Matthews Building, Above Bar, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 7NN
When: 11 December 2015 – 10 February 2016
Preview: 10 December 2015
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8201 3040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
With a population of around 12,800 staff and students, Southampton Solent University offers over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects as diverse as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. Every year we are joined by around 10,000 additional students on short professional courses.
Winner of the Times Higher Education ‘Most Improved Student Experience’ Award 2015, the University was also awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance Agency kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning, and voted one of the UK’s most creative universities in Which? University‘s 2013 and 2014 student polls. Solent’s business school has been awarded ‘Gold approval’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and also holds the Small Business Charter Award, which is supported by the Association of Business Schools and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
