The Chinese Language and Culture Centre (CLC) held a lecture on nianhua (traditional Chinese New Year pictures) with CLC Assistant Professor Dr Huang Hua on 14 November.
Dr Huang discussing "Qilin Sending Children" and "Lady who Brings Children"
Dr Huang explained the history and political influence of the traditional nianhua printing in Chinese history. The examples of nianhua Dr Huang displayed for the audience had different pictures of door guards, gods and goddesses, symbols, themes, political depictions, and historical interpretations.
Dr Huang and the audience discussed the cultural influence of nianhua, seeing as how traditional Japanese culture also incorporates similar printings.
Dr Huang explaining the differences between the Japanese print (left picture) and Chinese nianhua (right picture)
Dr Huang excitedly talked about her favourite nianhua picture, “Qilin sending children”. She pointed out how the picture in the middle showed a background landscape, an art style that was not widely used at the time.
Dr Huang Hua
Through a series of nianhua images, this talk, which was part of the CLC’s Lecture Series on Chinese Culture and Society, showed some of the common motifs and themes, as well as how messages were conveyed in the nianhua tradition.
Reporter/Photographer: Marissa Furney
Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He, Étienne Fermie
(from MPRO)
