WILMINGTON, DE.- The Delaware Art Museum presents West Meets East: Encounter with Chinese Art, on view in the Ammon Galleries through February 24, 2008. Organized by guest curator Taini Hsu of the Han Lin Chinese Culture Association, West Meets East features over 30 works by artists from the region between Delaware and New York , combining time-honored Chinese practices and subject matter with modern Western techniques and ideas. To highlight ancient Chinese artistic customs, the exhibition will also include historical masterworks from private collections of local Chinese families.

This exhibition displays both painting and calligraphy, called “sister arts” in Chinese culture. In each, mastery of brushstroke, line, and rhythm provide structure and discipline, creating the freedom to explore and express an emotional response to the subject. Since the early 20th century, many Chinese artists have also embraced Western styles, experimenting with ink-splashing and abstraction, but never entirely abandoning their artistic heritage.

Families can tour West Meets East: Encounter with Chinese Art during the Delaware Art Museum ’s Chinese New Year Family Day, which is Sunday, January 27, from noon to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free to this event, where kids and their families will learn about traditional Chinese New Year activities through hands-on art projects, special performances, and a variety of art demonstrations.

West Meets East: Encounter with Chinese Art is the first installation from the Delaware Art Museum ’s new Outlooks Exhibition Series. This program offers exhibitions created by regional organizations, individuals, and community groups and hosted by the Delaware Art Museum , furthering the Museum’s mission “to offer an inclusive and essential community resource.” Information and guidelines for the Outlooks Exhibition Series can be found at www.delart.org.

About the Han Lin Chinese Culture Association - The Han Lin Chinese Culture Association is a nonprofit organization serving communities in the Delaware Valley area. The mission of the Han Lin Chinese Culture Association is to promote Chinese culture to the public. For more information, visit www.hanlincca.org.