Gerda Leenard’s exhibition Following the Blue Ribbon: Journeys on the River Li
will be at the Hastings City Art Gallery from 1st February to 4th May. Her works evoke the sense of gliding along a river, inspired by her trip to Guilin. In particular it is the experience of sailing along the Li River, often referred to in poetry as ‘the blue ribbon’ that the artist aims to replicate.
You are invited to meet the artist Gerda Leenard on Saturday 1 February at 10am. Gerda will give a floor talk about the exhibition, and light refreshments will be provided. Register at http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/guilin-sister-city-gerda-leenard
Qualities of light, atmosphere and water are central to Dutch born Leenards’ practice and in Following the Blue Ribbon: Journeys on the River Li 
it is the much-discussed traits of Dutch light, New Zealand light and the light of China that underpin the works. Here, the light is always reflected in and diffused by water. In these images the Karst mountain ranges lining the banks of the Li River are reflected in the river’s surface, creating an atmosphere deeply still and contemplative.
Venue: Hastings City Art Gallery at 201 Eastbourne Street East by the Library in the Civic Square
Note: As the February monthly meeting date is on Waitangi Weekend the first meeting of the year will be on 7 March
Please diary the following dates for 2014
Saturday 1st March: International Cultures’ Day, Cornwall Park, Hastings.
23 – 25 May: Our Branch is holding the 2014 NZCFS National Conference at the Havelock North Function Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North, theme – “Voices for Youth”. Xi Yao, a young traditional Gu-Zheng musician with the Traditional Chinese Music School in Hamilton, has composed a musical work to be transcribed by the Hawke’s Bay Youth Orchestra for western instruments and this will be a feature of our Conference concert.
Members assistance will be required for both events.
Hastings Thursday night market celebrates Chinese New Year
Every Thursday night Hastings City comes alive as it fires up the Hastings City Night Markets and on Thursday 30th January the market will celebrate Chinese New Year. The market has food, arts & crafts and live music. It is located in the mall beside the clock tower and the fountain and runs from 5 to 9pm.
Philip Burdon: Born a Kiwi – still seen as a foreigner
New Zealand Herald Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
The latest census statistics show a rise in the number of ‘Asian’ New Zealanders and Asia Foundation Chairman and NZCFS Patron Philip Burdon discusses this in his opinion piece.
Year of Horse 2014 Gong Xi Fa Cai
The Year of the Horse begins on January 31, 2014, and ends on February 18, 2015 and is the seventh in the cycle of the 12.
