Today is the last day of the Visions of Peace exhibition in the Matariki building. I found it beautiful and thought-provoking. Here is information about it from Library News.

Caroline Anderson

“Visions of Peace, The H.W. Youren Collection and the Art of Chinese Soft Diplomacy
Exhibition now on in Matariki Building, first floor
21 November-4 December

This exhibition presents a part of the collection of Chinese art from the H W Youren Collection, from MTG Hawke’s Bay, representing one man’s attempt to use art to promote communist China in post-war New Zealand. Bill Youren (1910-1983) was a tireless campaigner for world peace, nuclear disarmament and social justice. In 1950s and 60s China, he witnessed events seminal in the history of the foundation of the People’s Republic. Alongside public talks and published writings, he attempted to use art to present an alternative image of China to that offered by government and the mainstream press. This exhibition, and book of the same name, celebrates his life and the collection of Chinese art he amassed to promote New China to New Zealand.

Visions of Peace is supported by MTG Hawkes Bay, Tai Ahuriri and the University of Canterbury’s Confucius Institute.

Exhibition developed by Dr James Beattie (University of Waikato) and Dr Richard Bullen (UC Art History and Theory)”