Media Releases

Tourism Tasmania and Hobart's Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) are delighted to announce the upcoming exhibition of works by one of the world's most renowned scholar-artists, Guandong born, Professor Jao Tsung-i. At 92 years of age, Professor Jao Tsung-i is considered a national living treasure in China, and an authority on a number of disciplines, including matters of spirituality, philosophy and religion. Running exclusively in Hobart, the exhibition, entitled Jao Tsung-i: The Amalgamation of Mind and Universe, will run from 28 August - 15 November and will be the largest exhibition of Professor Jao's works ever shown outside Asia. The exhibition is held in partnership with the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole (small university) in Hong Kong, where Professor Jao currently resides.

The exhibition, Jao Tsung-i: The Amalgamation of Mind and Universe features paintings that reveal the Professor's perception of Australian, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian landscapes. Developed in partnership with Hong Kong University's Jao Tsung-I Petit Ecole (small university) in China, the exhibition is expected to draw major national and international attention.

As part of the official launch celebrations, for which Professor Jao will be in Hobart, celebrity chef, Kylie Kwong will cook at two special dinners at Moorilla on 30th and 31st August.

Professor Jao will be accompanied by his daughter who will act as an interpreter. Please direct interview requests to Zoe Fairweather at Media Moguls on 03 9836 2167 (ext 2) or zoe@mediamoguls.com.au.

The Jao Tsung-i: The Amalgamation of Mind and Universe exhibition will displayed at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery from 28 August 2009 to 15 November 2009.

About Professor Jao

Professor Jao Tsung-I is a world-renowned scholar who has attained remarkable achievements in Chinese and Oriental Studies as well as arts and culture. He has created his own style of painting and calligraphy which was developed from internalising the essence of Chinese masterpieces. His calligraphy exhibits a unique quality with reference to inscriptions on the tombstones of the Han, Northern Wei and Tang Dynasty as well as the manuscripts of the Song and Late Ming Dynasties. His comprehensive research and profound knowledge in this arena has enabled him to interpret ancient writings on archaeological finds, which are otherwise unfamiliar to Chinese calligraphers.

Professor Jao is also Professor Emeritus of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and is regarded as an authority on a wide range of disciplines, including classical and contemporary literature from the East and West, Buddhism, Confucianism, archaeology and Dunhuang studies. His work in research and fine arts have gained him worldwide admiration, with the extensive scope of his scholarship covering palaeography, epigraphy, historiography, etymology, history of music, history of religion, Chuci and bibliography. A man with great talents in the areas of poetry, lyrics, painting and calligraphy, Professor Jao has published over 80 books and 500 papers, including 20 collections of poetry and lyrics. Professor Jao has also held exhibitions in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Guangzhou, Beijing, and various cities in China, featuring his calligraphy and paintings.

Professor Jao has received numerous awards and honours for his academic achievements and contributions including the Prix Stanislas Julien by the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-lettres, Institute of France, and was the first Chinese to receive an honorary degree in humanities by the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in France. He is a Life Member of the Bhandarkar Oriental Institute in Poona, India; Fellow of Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient; Honorary Member of the Societe Asiatique, France; Honorary Research Fellow of the Dunhuang Research Institute, China; Adviser of the Research Centre of Ancient Civilization, Peking University; Consultant to the Research Bureau of Ancient Scripts, State Council of China; and Adviser of the Institute of Literature and Philosophy, Academia Sinicia, Taiwan.

For his outstanding work in promoting the arts and culture, Professor Jao has also received many prestigious awards including the Order of Arts and Letters, Ministry of Culture of France, the Grand Bauhinia Medal, and an honorary prize for Special Contributions to the Protection of Dunhuang Relics.

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is located at 40 Macquarie Street, Hobart and is open from 10am – 5pm daily except Anzac Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Ph: (03) 6211 4177
W: www.tmag.tas.gov.au. Entry to the exhibition is free.

For more information about Tasmania visit www.discovertasmania.com or call 1800 623 191.

Media Contact
Sonia Rendigs
Email: sonia@mediamoguls.com.au
Phone: 03 9836 2167