Sha Zukang, President of the China-Pakistan Friendship Association (first left), Jimmy Engineer, artist and philanthropist (second left), Masood Khalid, Pakistan Ambassador to China (second right) and Dr. Li Ruohong, President of the China World Peace Foundation (first right) in front of a painting by Engineer, donated to the National Art Museum of China (DU XIAOFEI)
The opening ceremony of an exhibition entitled "Art, Culture and Heritage of Pakistan" took place at Zhengyangmen Museum in Beijing on March 22. The event was held as part of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Pakistan's independence and the 66th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties.
The exhibition showcases artworks by one of Pakistan's most accomplished artists, Jimmy Engineer, who has some 3,000 paintings and more than 1,000 works of calligraphy to his name. His art has been internationally acclaimed, particularly his depiction of Pakistan's independence in 1947. Engineer has done pencil sketches of leaders and other iconic people of China. The exhibition is the first time that his artworks have been displayed in Beijing, said Masood Khalid, Pakistan Ambassador to China, who opened the event.
Visitors appreciate artworks by Jimmy Engineer at Zhaoyangmen Museum in Beijing on March 22 (DU XIAOFEI)
"I am not only sharing my art in this exhibition, but the love and regard of all Pakistanis for China and Chinese people," said Engineer. "Art is international. Art has no boundaries or religious differences. Art is for everyone to enjoy," he continued.
Li Ruohong, President of the China World Peace Foundation, said, "The friendship between China and Pakistan has risen above social system, religious and national boundaries. It is an example of cross-cultural collaboration for all countries included in the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative."
Ji Qingyuan, a Chinese artist from the Beijing Fine Art Academy, expressed the hope that in the future artists from China and Pakistan should enhance cooperation and bring better artworks to the peoples of the two countries.
Sha Zukang, President of the China-Pakistan Friendship Association, concluded the ceremony. "The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been very successful. But, in the field of art and culture, I wish more exhibitions of this type can be held in China," he said.
