Yaji means ‘an elegant gathering’ in Chinese. It is a form of art salon comprising the Chinese literati ‘s favourite pastimes, from Guqin appreciation to tea drinking, from poem composition and recital to drawing. Join a group of talented artists to present this ancient Chinese cultural event during our China in Context festival. Come and indulge yourself with the rich range of art forms and meet the artists.
Thanks to UK Chinese Ensemble – the UK and Europe’s leading Chinese music agency, we will welcome a group pf Guqin artists and amateurs to perform on site. Formally established in 1998, the UK Chinese Ensemble is a dedicated professional Chinese music organisation comprising renowned Chinese virtuosi resident mainly in Britain. Its founding members include world-class guqin master professor Li Xiangting, Daoist and erhu music expert Chen Dacan and pipa/guqin virtuoso and ethnomusicologist Dr Cheng Yu. In Europe and beyond, the musicians have performed at the festivals of WOMEX (Spain), WOMAD (Canada, Sweden and Finland), Spoleto (Italy), Masala (Germany) and Babel Med Music (France). Apart from many published CD albums, the musicians are in demand for film and TV music recordings such as Disney’s film Mulan and Shanghai Noon and the BBC’s Wild China documentary. The UKCE has initiated and supported its award-winning group the Silk String Quartet and the popular Silk and Bamboo Ensemble as well as a Chinese-Western mixed ensemble, the Yin-Yang Collective.
Artist
Qu Leilei is one of China’s leading contemporary artists. Working quite simpy with ink on paper his works comprise a blend of classical Chinese and Western principles. He has published seven books of Chinese art. As a visiting tutor, he lectures in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy as well as Chinese contemporary art at The British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, The Royal Academy, and other institutions. Due to his continuous achievements, he was elected Chairman of Great Britain’s Chinese Painting Society in 1999.
Admission is free. Registration is required.