This is an exhibition of outstanding works by 2010 graduates from key art institutions of higher education in China

Perface

“The Start of a Long Journey — The First Exhibition of Outstanding Works by 2010 Graduates from Art Institutions of Higher Education in China”, is inspired by “The Start of a Long Journey” exhibition of graduate outstanding works held by China Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2009 and 2010. With the support of the advanced disciplines of China Central Academy of Fine Arts and the appropriate themes, this exhibition has gradually been developed into a famous brand. As a matter of fact, in recent years all art institutions have regarded the graduate exhibitions as an important platform of their teaching achievements display and graduate promotion, which has attracted lots of concerns from all walks of the society. However, we have been organizing these exhibitions separately with little cooperation in between, lacking of regular exchanges. Besides, there is still large room for expanding the academic influence. Hence, together with other seven fine arts institutes, China Central Academy of Fine Arts organizes this exhibition, with the original intention of promoting exchanges, expanding the influence and creating a platform for the graduates.
   
These fine arts institutes are located in different regions. On the basis of their own different cultural backgrounds, they have formed their own educational features in the course of development. Therefore, each offers others something worth of learning. The exhibition serves as a window for us to get to know and learn from each other, which will spur both the graduates who will soon enter the society and the tutors who supervise these students’ graduation works. It also reflects the current situation of higher education of fine arts in China in a way. The academic discussion and research based on the exhibition is no doubt a beneficial attempt to explore the higher education of fine arts in a new context.
    
The exhibition exhibits 251 pieces of outstanding works by graduates from nine arts institutes at home. These works were selected by the institutes independently, covering such disciplines as fine arts, design and architecture. As a representative of the highest level of art works from arts institutes of higher education in China, the exhibition is not only a display of teaching achievements of the nine institutes, but also an art exhibition of the youth who represent the rising force in the contemporary arts. In terms of organization, the exhibition has gradually stepped out of the previous mode of simply collecting graduate works and exhibiting them, and more attention has been switched to an academic discussion. Meanwhile, it has placed the relatively isolated teaching and learning under a context of contemporary culture and art discussion.
    
For the graduates, graduate work is not only a sum-up of the study in colleges, but a start to enter the society as youth artists. This joint exhibition of graduate outstanding works held after the graduate exhibition in each institute is another vital promotion platform provided by the institutes for their graduates. As their Alma Mater, all we can do is to create a platform and help those who have already set their foot on “The Journey of Miles” to further ahead a bit with the help of the available academic sources. I wish them all a promising future, flying higher and farther. I hope, like Guangzhou Asian Games torch relay, the exhibition can be passed on, from one to another continuously and successfully.

- Li Ming
President of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts
November 2010