On October 14th, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile, the "Chinese Memory: Photography and Sketches by Chilean Painter José Venturelli" exhibition, hosted by the China Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries, the National Art Museum of China, the Embassy of the Republic of Chile in China, and the José Venturelli Foundation, was unveiled to the audience. The exhibition features more than 40 photography and sketches from the collection of the José Venturelli Foundation, as well as some artworks from the National Art Museum of China. It is divided into three sections: "José Venturelli and the Chinese Cultural Scene," "The Venturelli Couple and Chinese Culture," and "Venturelli's Sketches during His Time in China." Through these sections, the exhibition showcases the historical memories and cultural exchanges between China and Chile, rooted in cultural friendship, and narrates the stories of friendly exchanges between China and Chile that originated from culture.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric (left) looks at a picture of Jose Venturelli in Beijing on October 16, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of the National Art Museum of China

Venturelli was the first Latin American painter to visit China in 1952. He participated in the founding of the Chilean-Chinese Institute of Culture and contributed to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as the fostering of friendship between China and Latin America.

While in China, he participated in a collective workshop at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and befriended famous Chinese artists such as Qi Baishi, Wu Zuoren and Li Keran.

José Venturelli created artworks at the Central Academy of Fine Arts

Photo: Courtesy of CAFA history museum

José Venturelli and Chinese students at the Central Academy of Fine Arts

José Venturelli showing one of his prints to Mr. Li Keran

The exhibition is presented in Hall 5 on the first floor of the National Art Museum of China and will run until October 24th (closed on Mondays).