For the fourth time, we were delighted to organise, and for those who are thirsty for real Chinese art, 5 Chinese calligraphy and painting workshops with Ukrainian Chinese artist Qi Xiaoting [Chi Shaoting].
On the first day, our evening sparkled with gold as we learned how to paint goldfish. In traditional Chinese culture, fish, like goldfish, symbolise abundance and wealth. This association is due to the fact that the Chinese word fish (yú) is pronounced in a very similar way（but with different tone） to the word wealth. It also embodies the values of success and unity. Eating fish during the festivities is not only a culinary experience, but also an expression of cultural identity and of Chinese traditions.
This time we focused on the dragon symbol and the second day of the workshop was dedicated to the dragon: in the daytime session, the participants learnt how to write a dragon hieroglyph, and in the evening, we painted the dragon itself with black ink in the xieyi technique on rice paper. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolises luck, strength, health and power. The dragon is unique because it is the only mythical creature of the Chinese Zodiac and those born in the year of the dragon are considered to be strong and successful.
The third day was dedicated to flowers - tulips and roses. In Chinese culture, tulips are often associated with glory and perfection, while roses symbolise eternal spring and longevity. Qi Xiaoting [Chi Shaoting] Chinese artist, calligrapher, art teacher, member of the Public Chinese Culture Club (Weifang). She has lived in Ukraine since 1997. She graduated from Kyiv Pedagogical University, Faculty of Art and Design in 2011. She studied with famous Chinese artists Zhang Zhonggen, Zhang Huayong and Liu Zonggang. She maintains regular contacts with her home country and promotes cultural exchanges between the two nations. She has participated in collective exhibitions and held solo exhibitions in Ukraine, China, the USA and Spain. Her works are in museums and private collections in Ukraine and several other countries.
She has been working as an art teacher for more than 10 years and has her own school "Celestial Culture". She works with the unique Chinese technique of Xie-Yi (expression of ideas). As usual, the artist is more concerned with conveying a spiritual mood on rice paper than with rendering the details and precision of external features. It is all in keeping with the philosophy of Chinese painting - beauty and wisdom in simplicity. This is why the painting uses techniques such as generalisation, hyperbole and abstraction. You can admire her work here: https://chi.gallery/