Against this background the executive of the Asian Christian Art
Association held their annual meeting for the first time in China.
April 29-May 5, 2000. The China Christian Council hosted the visit
and left the executive in no doubt about the church commitment to
the development of indigenous arts.
One memorable evening was spent at the Nanjing Amity Centre meeting
with a number of Chinese artists. The walls of the room and every
available space where filled with art works which were being selected
for a major exhibition of Chinese Christian Art which will be held
in Vienna Art Museum (September 17 - October 30). The works for
exhibition will be include many which use traditional China media:
paper cuts, wood carving, scroll painting, calligraphy and brush
painting. There is a high degree of professionalism in their execution.
The executive members visited other galleries and museums during
their visit and came away with an increased understanding of the
depth and extent of modern Chinese art.
In the business session of the executive, the Chairman's report
showed that the ACAA is doing well in its new headquarters in Yogyakarta.
Image magazine continue to be produced quarterly and provide an
important network for Asian artists. A number of art exhibition
have been held around the world and ACAA has had some involvement
in many of them.
One of the new initiatives of the Association is the decision
to establish a web site for ACAA, as a means of information on the
work of ACAA and to provide an updated gallery for artist to exhibit
their works and have them made known around the world.
Another new programme is the publication of a book of Christian
art which will feature artworks and meditations from around the
world. To be called Christ For All People, it is planned for publication
in 2001.
In the longer term it still hope that the ACAA will one day be
able to establish a permanent exhibition centre for Asian Christian
art. To do it properly with adequate air conditioning and lighting
will be quite a costly undertaking and will need much planning.
It is however a dream which the executive continues to pursue at
each of its meetings.
The ACAA has now been in existence for 22 years and continues
to serve the churches of Asia and around the world with contemporary
of faith.