国内英语新闻:Cross-Strait artists collaborate on depictions of Yangtze River landscape

TAIPEI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 paintings inspired by the landscape of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River have gone on display in Taiwan, as part of a program of collaboration between artists from the island and the Chinese mainland.

The exhibition in Taipei, which runs from Oct. 1 to 6, features landscape paintings from 15 mainland artists and 11 Taiwan counterparts, according to the Taipei-based China Creative Culture Development Association, the exhibition's organizer.

This year's exhibition is the second installment of the cross-Strait art program sponsored by the organization, said Wang Cheng-tien, president of the association.

Last year, artists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait visited the Huangshan Mountain together, with each submitting four paintings themed on the mountain's landscape, Wang said.

This year, however, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, artists were unable to tour the Three Gorges themselves and had to base their works on previous visits, he said.

The highlight of this year's exhibition is a large painting produced collectively by the 26 artists from both sides, despite the fact that they were unable to cross the Strait and meet up.

"The mainland artists painted the first half of the painting and then delivered it to Taiwan by mail. Painters in Taiwan painted the second half. We put the two halves together at the exhibition," Wang said.

Prof. Lee Tsung-jen, dean of the Department of Painting and Calligraphy Arts with Taiwan University of Arts, had four paintings on show at the exhibition.

"Although artists across the Strait have inherited the same cultural tradition, each has his or her own unique experience and perspective. An opportunity like this has enabled us to observe and exchange, and to improve ourselves," Lee said.

The organization plans to continue the program in the future, selecting a landmark site every year as the theme, giving artists across the Strait more opportunities for exchange, Wang said.