Our art exhibition at the Guilin Art Museum was an exciting experience for both Inrae and I. It was also pure theater. There was a large crowd in attendance opening day, including members of the Guilin Artists Association, art professors from Guangxi University, and Guilin Museum staff members. It all began with a ribbon cutting ceremoy, introductions of the artists - myself, Inrae, Jang - our Korean artist friend, a speech by the head of the Guilin Artists Association, a speech by me on the common spirit in art- East and West, which was also the title and theme of the exhibition.


A two hour forum followed a short while later, attended by Guilin artists, art professors, Museum staff, and Inrae, myself, and Jang. The discussions centered on our art work and Western creativity and its relationship to Chinese art and Chinese creativity. And it was very rewarding to hear again and again that the Chinese in attendance thought that our art was very imaginative and unique and spiritually inspired and that they too believed a common spirit links us all.


Later that day a banquet took place and oh, what food, what camaraderie. There was enough toasting going on to get an elephant drunk. And because our art show was more a museum exhibition rather than a commerical art gallery show, coverage of the event was broadcast on Guilin TV and was written up in the Guilin Evening Newspaper. One art work from each of us will also become part of the permanent art collection of the Guilin Art Museum.


What a wonderful trip it has been for us here in the Land of the Li River, and on and on it flows.