April 1, 2009

When on Market Street, you may have seen the 100 ft. installation of Wenda Gu's UN: Man & Space 2000, a replica of the flags of the world, made entirely of human hair that is featured in the lobby of the Bossone Research Center. But that's just one work included in Ink not Ink, the largest exhibition of Chinese art to ever be presented at Drexel University. Now is your chance to see the rest as Ink not Ink now officially open to the public. Ink not Ink contains nearly 100 paintings, prints, sculptures and videos featuring the work of 40 contemporary Chinese artists including the acclaimed Wenda Gu, Wei Quingji and Lin Tianmiao. The exhibit is installed in three different locations on the Drexel campus: Bossone Research Center, the Paul Peck Alumni Center, and the Pearlstein Gallery. Ink Not Ink will be up until May 9th and is free for all to see seven days a week from 10 AM to 5 PM.

On April 1st, the Bossone Research Center was packed with members of the Drexel community, Chinese and local dignitaries, scholars, and the public for a symposium on contemporary ink painting. Panelists included Lu Hong, curator at the Shenzhen Art Museum; Robert Storr, Dean of the Yale School of Art; Richard Vine, Senior Editor, Art In America; Melissa Chiu, Director of the Asia Society Museum; Jia Fangzhou, critic; and Dr. Pan Qing, curator at the National Art Museum of China. Click here to view the symposium webcast. Later that evening, the Gala Preview and Reception was attended by members of the Consulate General's Office in New York, the Chinese Embassy in Washington and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

You've probably seen the wonderful graphic design work featured in the Ink Not Ink printed materials and marketing, not to mention all of the environmental graphics for the exhibition design itself. For these, we thank Sandy Stewart, Media Arts Department Head, for her art direction and marketing materials' design, and Jody Graff, Graphic Design Program Director, for her exhibition design. Also, our congratulations to the exhibition's organizers: Dr. Joseph Gregory, Art & Art History Department Head, and Drexel Trustee Abbie Dean.

Drexel University's presentation of the exhibition and symposium was made possible through the generous support of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, the Marketing Division of the Ministry of Culture of the P. R. of China, the Shenzhen Foundation of Cultural Promotion and Development, Beijing Zhongwenfa International Cultural Exchange Co. Ltd, Continental Airlines and HSBC.