Live in one place for a long time, and it's easy to feel somewhat disconnected from the everyday. You establish a routine – more like a groove – and you may overlook the unique qualities of your surroundings. As a long-time resident of Beijing, I have often misjudged the city as ... ordinary, becoming caught up in the monotony of daily commutes and the familiar. Yet, Beijing is anything but ordinary. It is a city rich with history and culture, boasting a unique and remarkable artistic legacy.
I was recently reminded of this when I was invited to the opening of “The Story of Trees,” a joint exhibition by artists Niamh Cunningham and Zheng Qinyan at the Dong Yue Art Museum in Dongdaqiao. Eager to explore a new place in Beijing and support a friend who plays a vital role in the city’s art scene, I eagerly accepted the invitation to this special event.
The Artists
Niamh Cunningham is an Irish artist who has resided in China since 2010. Over her 15 exciting years in the country, she has participated in numerous local and cross-cultural initiatives. She co-curated the annual exhibition “Irish Wave” from 2012 to 2016 each March during the Irish festival in China, featuring contemporary art by both Irish and Chinese artists. Her first solo exhibition in China, titled “An Eastward Calling” (2014), took place at the newly renovated Dong Yue Art Museum, and she has participated in several duo and group exhibitions alongside Chinese artists. In May 2024, she was invited to showcase her work at the Chengdu-Europe Culture Season, where the XLY Moma Museum presented “Memory Palace of Tree Stories – The Paintings,” which received much acclaim. Her ongoing education emphasizes eco-literacy, which informs her art. Since 2020, she has been collecting tree stories from a worldwide audience for her award-winning socio-eco art project, The Memory Palace of Tree Stories, with many of the pieces in this exhibition inspired by these shared stories. In April 2024, Cunningham presented at TEDx Beixinqiao. She is affiliated with Visual Artists Ireland and is a founding member of Haumea Ecoversity.
Zheng Qinyan, a Chinese artist and academic, is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA). She is the director of the Children's Art Research Center at CAFA, chairperson of the 6th Children's Art Committee of the China Artists Association, and serves as the deputy director and secretary-general of the First National Steering Committee for Aesthetic Education in Primary and Secondary Schools under the Ministry of Education. Zheng is a recipient of the Huamao Meiyu Award and holds membership in various associations, including the Art Education Committee of the Beijing Artists Association, the Public Education Committee of the National Art Museum of China, the China Calligraphers Association, and the China Artists Association. Additionally, she is part of the Youth Federation of the Central State Government and serves as an expert judge for both domestic and international children's painting competitions.
The Works
As you enter the museum from the street, the main exhibition room is located on the right side of the interior courtyard. Inside, Professor Zheng’s pieces adorn the walls at either end of the spacious, high-ceilinged rectangular area. The artworks exude serenity and restraint; they glimmer with a quiet dignity, much like Zheng herself, who gracefully navigated through the crowd during the opening, silently observant with a keen, discerning eye.
Zheng’s beautifully textured depictions of trees and leaves arise from delicately crafted blocks of calligraphy, with sutra texts forming the roots of the trees or, in some instances, hovering stoically over ocean waves. The minimalist compositions and gentle, nuanced colors, combined with the meditative repetition of words and water, create a tranquil atmosphere for those who view them.
The calming essence of Zheng’s paintings resonates perfectly with the exhibition space, enhanced by long silk scrolls adorned with Buddhist texts painted in gold brush calligraphy, suspended from the ceiling.
In stark contrast, Niamh Cunningham’s paintings are vibrant and rich in color, conveying a message of “Here! Yes! Feel!” And indeed, we did. Each composition envelops us with electric hues, fluid shapes, and a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Approaching each painting feels like being invigorated by a refreshing rush of air. Cunningham is warm and approachable, engaging in conversation with kindness and graciousness while fostering connections with both people and nature.
Cunningham also displays quieter works from her earlier “Microbe” and “Sucrose” series, but even within these pieces, there is an emotional spark, whether exuberant or contemplative. Her artworks don’t seek a connection with trees; instead, they present it as an inherent truth. Standing in front of each piece makes it clear that we are intertwined with the trees and their stories – and thus with one
Various viewpoints and "tree stories" from actual individuals encourage us to reflect on our relationships with the natural environment.