Chinese art at the library

Oriental art is not just about terracotta warriors, ancient collectables, brush painting and calligraphy, there are also famed contemporary Chinese artists. Our online resource DragonSource has about 3000 Chinese magazines covering a range of topics: including popular fashion, literature, music and film. There are also contemporary and traditional Chinese arts magazines.

How to read art magazines on DragonSource
  1. Login to DragonSource using your library card number and password
  2. Select the links beneath the magazines in this blog; then select the blue button to read
  3. You can also choose your own art magazines from Art magazines on DragonSource


 

Chinese art 中国美术             Chinese calligraphy 中国书法      Contemporary artists 当代美术家

 

Terracotta warriors : guardians of immortality
“This book marked the exhibition at Te Papa of the remarkable third century BC funerary statues excavated from the astounding archaeological site at Xi’an, China. The 200 especially selected pieces from the site have travelled to Wellington and then to Melbourne, for their first exhibition in Australasia for 30 years. This illustrated catalogue has images of all the objects in the exhibition as well as informative essays that explain the creation of the objects and their ongoing discovery.” (Adapted from the catalogue)

The art of Chinese brush painting / Wang, Lucy
“Chinese brush painting is an ancient art form associated with grace, simplicity, and precision. This wonderful Artist’s Library Series can help you learn the secrets to painting in this classic, fluid style. Accomplished Chinese brush artist Lucy Wang covers the fundamentals of this painting medium, such as handling the brush and creating elegant strokes with art history. Then she guides you step by step through a series of painting lessons, from flowers and animals to a landscape and a traditional figure.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The Chinese art book
“This highly illustrated book is an accessible, innovative introduction to the art of China. An overview of Chinese art from its earliest dynasties to the contemporary generation of artists enlivening today’s art world. 300 works represent every form of Chinese visual art, including painting, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, figurines, jade, bronze, gold and silver, photography, video, installation, and performance art.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Things Chinese : antiques, crafts, collectibles / Knapp, Ronald G.
“Traditional Chinese objects are fascinating for the West and are long sought by collectors, from porcelains and finely detailed paintings, silk fabrics, and furniture to the lacquered or ebony-and-bone chopsticks. From painted cabinets and calligraphic scrolls to painted opera masks and moon cake moulds, and from Golden Lotus shoes , Mao memorabilia, mahjong sets and even kites.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Contradictions : artistic life, the socialist state, and the Chinese painter Li Huasheng / Silbergeld, Jerome
“Li Huasheng (b. 1944) represents the first generation of artists raised and trained in the People’s Republic of China. His career spans the painting of Maoist propaganda in the 1960s. Li has been driven by a fearless flair for drama that is expressed not only in his remarkable paintings of the Sichuan landscape but in a lifelong passion for Sichuan-style theatre. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

At work : twenty-five contemporary Chinese artists / Burris, Jon
“Documentary-style portraits of twenty-five of China’s most accomplished and fascinating artists at work.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

 

Chinese Language Week Events at Wellington City Libraries!

Come along to the popular Chinese culture and language events during New Zealand Chinese Language Week! Experience Chinese culture with our programme of free events, including brilliant dance and music performances, hosted by Central Library and Newtown Library.

You can also get a free tangram game from any of our libraries.
2018年 新西兰中文周,请点击阅读

Tai Chi Demonstration, Newtown Library: 11:00-11:30am, 29 September

Celebrate Chinese Language Week, in the whānau (family) area at Newtown Library, by practicing peaceful movement with us.

Dance and opera performance, Central Library: 11:00am-12:00 pm, 29 September

Enjoy a snapshot of Chinese culture and history through artistically presented dance, music, songs, martial arts, and calligraphy performances. A wonderful show all will enjoy! Brought to you by the New Zealand Chinese Culture & Art Association.

Chinese language lesson, Central Library 1:00-2:00 pm, 29 September

Take this perfect opportunity to learn Chinese from an experienced teacher from the China Cultural Centre in New Zealand. You will learn basic communication words and essential greetings and phrases. Plus, you will access the librarian’s recommended books and resources for you to continue your language journey after the class.

Manawa Ora Childrens Choir, Newtown Library: 2:00-3:00 pm, 29 September

Come along and sing songs from all over the world with the Manawa Ora children’s choir! This is an interactive performance for all ages.

Dance and music performance, Central Library: 2:00-3:00 pm, 29 September,by Wellington Chinese Language School

Enjoy the creative dance and music performance combining traditional with contemporary dance and music. Brought to you by the Wellington Chinese Language School.

Chinese Story Times for Children
Come along to the Central Library for a storytime in Mandarin!

Chinese (Mandarin) story times, Central Library: 10:30-11:00 am, Thursday 27 September.

Read Chinese magazines online with Wellington City Libraries DragonSource database 

Read thousands of Chinese magazines on your laptop or phone! Phoenix Weekly, Readers, San Lian life magazine, and many more are available to access with your library card.

Read Chinese newspapers and books online
Discover Chinese cooking, classic and contemporary literature, and latest news, online via PressReader , the New York Times (Chinese language version), and  Chinese eBooks via Overdrive. All for free with your library card!