The famous French writer Gustave Flaubert said: "the science and art, break up at the foot of the mountain, meet at the top of the hill." This famous saying had a realistic portrayal at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) with the opening of Science & Art Collaboration: the Chinese Painting Exhibition of Rainforest on September 28.

   About 120 works of 118 artists from nationwide and 10 woodcut paintings out of print are on show. The paintings feature tropical plants, flowers, birds, and cultures of tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, vivid and lifelike. The paintings are mainly themed with orchids, torch gingers, fig trees, bananas, calla lily, etc.

   Among the paintings are such fine examples as Rainforest by Guo Zikun, Tacca by Prof, Wu Minrong, etc. With more than 12,000 plant species harbored in the garden, XTBG is an ideal place for artists to find inspiration, in addition to its functions of scientific base for tropical biologists, conserving biodiversity, and popularizing science.

  In recent years, thousands of artists and art students come to draw the rich plants, flowers, and beautiful landscape of the garden. The tropical rainforest culture has positive influence on the development of modern bird-and-flower painting in China.

   A seminar was also held for the artists and scientists to share thoughts on science and art from different angles. Prof. Chen Jin, director of XTBG, discussed the charm of boundary crossing. From points of science, art, and environmental education, he regards that combination of science and art will contribute to construction of beautiful environment. Artists talked about history of tropical rainforest bird-and-flower painting, and the impact of tropical forest in their career, etc. All participating scientists and artists are amazed at the charm of combing science and art.

  Prof. Chen Jin of XTBG, Vice governor Xu Jiafu of xishuangbanna, and artist Sun Jiandong addressed the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

  The exhibition will last from September 28, 2016 to February 5, 2017. It will feast visitors’ eyes and mind.

Artists draw paintings on spot

Prof. Chen Jin addresses the opening ceremony

Visitors watching painting exhibition

Tacca

Strelitzia reginae (also called crane flower or bird of paradise)

Torch ginger