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Chung Chi College, the School of Life Sciences and Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) are honoured that world-renowned biological artist Professor Zeng Xiao Lian has accepted an invitation to launch a series of botanical art events in CUHK. Prof. Zeng will host the opening ceremony of the botanical art exhibition and give a seminar to talk about his artistic experience in drawing plants. Prof. Zeng will demonstrate his drawing skills, which are unique and precious in the sciences and arts community, in a series of workshops.

In the coming activities, the essence of botany and the art of drawing are synergized to provide new visions for the public and students of botanical applications. While appreciating the superb artistic value and the precise plant structures expressed by Prof. Zeng’s delicate brush strokes, the participants will learn about plant authentication and its related subjects, including conservation, environmental education, arboriculture, horticulture, and Chinese medicine authentication. The exhibition and related activities are a major initiative for the School of Life Sciences in the contribution of STEAM education for primary and secondary schools. Importantly, they allow the public and students to recognize and appreciate plants and natural ecology in a scientific and artistic approach, and further enable the knowledge transfer and contribution of life sciences to Hong Kong society.

Event details are listed below:

Opening ceremony for the exhibition

Seminar and demonstration

Public Exhibition

About Professor Zeng Xiao Lian

Professor Zeng Xiao Lian is a professor grade illustrator in Kunming Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, a member of China Artists Association, and was the chairperson of the Botanical Scientific Illustration Society of China, Botanical Society of China. Over the years, Prof. Zeng has created more than 2,000 illustrations for over 50 scientific publications including Flora Republicae Popularis Sinicae, and black and white scientific line drawing for “Asteraceae” in Flora of Hong Kong. His painting albums include Yunnan Hundred Birds Figure Painting published in Japan in 1997, Flower Dance published by Beijing People’s Fine Arts Press in 1999, postcards Xiaolian Zeng’s Flowers and Birds Pieces published by Rong Bao Zhai Press in 1999, Selected Works of Zeng Xiao Lian and Techniques in floral and bird drawing published by Tianjin Yangliuqing Fine Arts Press in 2001, Flowers in Yunnan China by Yunnan Art Publishing House in 2002, Medicinal plants illustration published in Japan in 2005, Zeng Xiao Lian Caimo Huaji published by Yunnan Fine Arts Press in 2016, and Yunnan Flower and Bird published by Xin Xing Publishing House in 2017.

His stamps issued by the State Post Bureau include 8 stamps and 1 stamp sheetlet of Azalea in 1991, a set of 4 stamps of Cedar in 1992, a set of 4 stamps of Cycad in 1996, a set of 2 stamps of Rare Birds in 1997, a set of 4 stamps of Clivia in 2000, a set of 4 stamps and 1 stamp sheetlet of Lily in 2003, a set of 4 stamps of Meconopsis in 2004, a set of 4 stamps of Relict Plant in 2006, and a set of 6 stamps of Chinese Bird in 2008. Professor Zeng has been awarded National Best Stamps Award for Azalea in 1991, National Best Stamps Award and Expert Award for Cedar in 1992, Second Prize in the National Science Art Exhibition for Yunnan Camellia Paintings in 1997, National Best Stamps Award for Clivia in 2000, and Yearly Excellent Stamps Award for Lily in 2003, Best Stamp Prize for Chinese Bird in the 13^th Intergovernmental Stamp Conference in 2008, and Golden Prize in the National Science and Technology Comic Strip Illustrations Exhibition for Ancient Chinese Birds in 2004.