China – Germany: Abstract painting today!

As part of the Chinese Year of Culture in Germany 2012, proclaimed to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and China, the Wilo-Foundation invited guests to the exhibition “China – Germany: Abstract Painting Today!” at the Dortmund headquarters of the Wilo Group. The exhibition was held in June 2012 at Wilo in Dortmund and then moved to Wilo in Beijing at the end of 2012, where it was on display until 2013. With this, the foundation supported an international art project right at the start of its funding activities, aiming to promote cultural exchange between Germany and China.

Festive opening at Wilo's company headquarters in Dortmund: Among the guests were Wang Xiting, a representative of the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt (4th from left), and then-Lord Mayor of Dortmund Ullrich Sierau (3rd from left). In the background is a work by Xu Ruotao, Black 2010. Photo: Wilo-Foundation

In cooperation with Galerie Frank Schlag & Cie. in Essen, a total of 40 works of abstract painting by eight contemporary Chinese and eight German artists were presented. The exhibition provided visitors with a meaningful insight into the different traditions of the artists in their approach to abstraction. Abstract works by the following Chinese and German artists were shown: Chen Qiang, Chen Ruobing, Liang Quan, Ma Shuqing, Shen Chen, Xu Ruotao, Yin Ge, Zhou Yangming, Rolf Behm, Dirk Hupe, Michael Jäger, Hartwig Kompa, Willi Otremba, Eberhard Ross, Susanne Stähli, and Frank Michael Zeidler.

It was opened by Oliver Hermes (current Chairman of the Wilo-Foundation Board of Trustees and President & Global CEO of the Wilo Group), then-Foundation Board member Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, and Foundation Board member Evi Hoch. From the political side, then-Lord Mayor of Dortmund Ullrich Sierau emphasized the importance of international cultural exchange for the city of Dortmund. In addition, then-Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Xiting, welcomed the more than 200 invited guests. In a keynote speech, Dr. Michael Kahn-Ackermann, longtime regional director of the Goethe-Institut in China, shared his experiences regarding cultural relations between Germany and China. Gallerist and curator Frank Schlag provided a contextual framework and introduction to the subject of abstract painting in Germany and China, as well as to the exhibiting artists and the selection of works.

The exhibition subsequently moved from Dortmund to Wilo in Beijing, where it was also curated by Frank Schlag. The opening took place as part of the inauguration festivities for the new Wilo plant in June 2013. In addition to curator Frank Schlag, the exhibiting Chinese artists were also welcomed as guests.

Photo Header: Wilo-Foundation

Our funding partner

Founded in 1998, Galerie Frank Schlag & Cie., Essen, represents artists from Europe, China, Japan, and the USA. Its focus is on contemporary painting and sculpture. Since 1998, several exhibitions and events have been held annually at the gallery.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

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