Art becomes educational tool to raise animal protection awareness

Chinese artist Xu Qiping shows performance art at the opening ceremony of her solo exhibition held in Beijing on Sunday, Jan 20, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Chinese artist Xu Qiping (许祺萍), who has travelled to Africa several time, recently held an animal-themed exhibition showing her paintings, sculptures and even performance art.

Zhao Zhonghua is the Country Director of World Animal Protection China, which is a co-sponsor of Xu's exhibition.

"Animals are also venerable: they cannot speak for themselves. This art exhibition aims to influence people in terms of their attitude towards animals and influence people to understand animals can also feel fear, pain and joy," he said.

In addition to colorful paintings, a bronze sculpture combining both the elements of wildlife and mankind together was on display.

The artist explained she hopes to promote a concept of the harmonious co-existence between mankind and animals.

A lot of children were also invited to draw their beloved animals on a 10-meter-long scroll. They joined the artist in her performance-art show.

Children draw animals on a 10-meter-long scroll, alongside an exhibition held by Chinese artist Xu Qiping in Beijing on Sunday, Jan 20, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]