China's Yinshan Rock Carving Art exhibition heads to Athens

World
Europe

The Yinshan Rock Carving Art exhibition from China was launched at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens on Thursday to introduce the primitive art of petroglyph to a Greek audience.

The global exhibition, supported by the China National Arts Fund and organized by Shenyang Normal University, traveled to Greece from Italy to present a gem of China's prehistoric civilization.

Traced back to 30,000 years ago, Yinshan Rock Art demonstrates how the ancestors of various ethnic groups began to record their lives, express themselves and communicate feelings through rock carving.

People visit the Yinshan Rock Carving Art exhibition in Athens, Greece, April 11, 2019. /Photo via Xinhua News Agency

In the Yin Mountains, which stretch from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to northern Hebei Province, the rock's surface has been incised, carved or abraded with over 10,000 ancient cliff rock paintings.

The exhibition includes more than 20 sets of rock carving fossil replicas and more than 20 rock carving fossil rubbings.

According to the Chinese delegation, the carving art pieces are dominated by scenes of hunting and feature a wide range of animals. Many of these species have disappeared from the region, but these paintings act as a testament to their presence.

"We hope to cooperate more in the long term with Greek culture experts and use this opportunity for more cultural exchange," said Zhang Peng from Shenyang Normal University in his opening speech.

A visitor visits Yinshan Rock Carving Art exhibition in Athens, Greece, April 11, 2019. /Photo via Xinhua News Agency

Wang Chao, cultural attache of the Chinese Embassy in Greece, said that these paintings serve as a reminder of humankind's beginnings. "It's a treasure of ancient Chinese civilization that would bring the two nations closer," he said.

During the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in workshops on rock carving and Chinese rubber stamps.

"We see works of art from the first artists who created engravings, which are among the best in the world," Mary Schina, painter and printmaker and distinguished professor emeritus at the Athens School of Fine Arts. "Humans first carved in the cliffs and then painted."

The exhibition runs through April 17.

(Top image: A visitor (C) learns the art of rubbing during the Yinshan Rock Carving Art exhibition in Athens, Greece, April 11, 2019. /Photo via Xinhua News Agency)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

Xi Jinping urges China, Vietnam to jointly march toward modernization

China urges U.S. to end maximum pressure with 'reciprocal tariffs'

China sees 15.3% increase in entry-exit trips in Q1 of 2025

TOP NEWS

Xi Jinping urges China, Vietnam to jointly march toward modernization

China urges U.S. to end maximum pressure with 'reciprocal tariffs'

China sees 15.3% increase in entry-exit trips in Q1 of 2025