East meets West exhibition heralds Lancaster University partnership

An exhibition launch in Carlisle marked the official opening of a Lancaster University Confucius Institute (LUCI) teaching site. 'East Meets West: The Brushstrokes of Wang Ying' opened at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery on 16 February. University Pro Chancellor Roger Liddle, Lord Liddle, of Carlisle, was a guest at the VIP opening of the exhibition of 45 paintings by Mr Wang Ying, a Chinese artist and diplomat. In his speech Lord Liddle reflected on Lancaster University's mission to promote international understanding, its pride in its Chinese students, its Confucius Institute and its partnership in China and the wonder of seeing northern English views through Chinese eyes painted by Mr Wang. Lord Liddle thanked Mr Wang, who is also the Head Consul, Education Section of the Consulate General of the People's Republic in China (PRC) in Manchester, for his contribution to foster global understanding and cultural dialogues. Tullie House has a learning and engagement programme enabling hands-on object handling workshops and LUCI's move to provide one of its Chinese teachers to help the gallery research and share their collection of Chinese artefacts and to work with the public has been welcomed by Tullie House. Other guest speakers at the event included: Chair of Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trustees Roger Cooke , who hosted the opening, Director, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Andrew Mackay, Consul General Dr Sun Dali, of the Consulate General of the P.R.C in Manchester, Lord Mayor of Carlisle Councillor Colin Stothard and Mr Wang Ying.