The Jonathan KS Choi Foundation organized the first “Contemporary Art Award” in Beijing
(10 November 2021)
China.com – On 9th November 2021, the first “Jonathan KS Choi Foundation Contemporary Art Award” was held at the French Embassy in Beijing, China. This Award, a joint effort of the Jonathan KS Choi Foundation and the French Embassy in China, is the first Chinese – French contemporary art award that focuses on the connection between nature and modern art. This Award also represented the partnership between the Palais de Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art in Paris and the Museum of Today Art in Beijing, two well-known art organizations in France and China. The Award was launched to raise public awareness in environmental issues. A French artist and a Chinese artist won a final prize of RMB 115,000 (equivalent to €15,000) each. Participating works will be exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art, Paris in 2022.
The first “Jonathan KS Choi Foundation Contemporary Art Award Ceremony” at the French Embassy in Beijing, China
Mr Laurent Bili, French Ambassador to China, shared that: “The Jonathan KS Choi Foundation Contemporary Art Award” will strengthen the efforts of both China and France in solving environmental issues such climate change and biodiversity protection. I sincerely hope that we all can feel the unique inspiration behind all these artworks. Please allow me to express my gratitude to organizers of this Award. I would like to thank Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group and the Jonathan KS Choi Foundation, for supporting and sponsoring the Award, as well as the Palais de Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art in Paris and the Art Museum of the Today Art in Beijing who have collaborated with the French Embassy to successfully organize this Award Ceremony.”
Mr Laurent Bili, French Ambassador to China
In his congratulatory video, Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group and Jonathan KS Choi Foundation, shared that: “Congratulations to two outstanding Chinese and French artists, Tong Yixin and Suazanne Husky, for winning the 1st Jonathan KS Choi Foundation Contemporary Art Award. The Jonathan KS Choi Foundation has been constantly organizing activities to increase public awareness in China about environmental issues. The Jonathan KS Choi Foundation Contemporary Art Award sets the foundation for us to realize and reflect on environmental issues through arts. I would like to thank all artists and organizations for their support and participation. The Award will be organized annually, focusing on using modern artworks to raise awareness on environmental issues which is not only the current global issue but also a key issue in the French – Sino partnership.”
Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group and Jonathan KS Choi Foundation, sent his congratulatory video
Dr Jonathan Choi can not attend the Award Ceremony due to the complicated Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong. Mr Johnson Choi, CEO of Sunwah Group and Jonathan KS Choi Foundation, presented the awards to French artists on behalf of Dr Choi.
Mr Laurent Bili (third from right), French Ambassador to China; Mr Johnson Choi (second from right), CEO of Sunwah Group and Jonathan KS Choi Foundation; and artists and guests at the Ceremony
Since 2016, the Jonathan KS Choi Foundation has been working closely with the French Embassy in China as well as became the Strategic Sponsor for 2 events, Sino – French Cultural Spring and Sino – French Environment Month. In 2018, the Foundation worked with the French Embassy in China, the Paris Academy of Fine Arts, and the French National Center for Art and Sculpture, to co-sponsor a large-scale exhibition of 19th-century French artworks that held simultaneously at the French National Museum and Yunnan Museum, entitled “The French Dream: Academy and Salon”. In addition, the Foundations also established several Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Centers in the Paris Academy of Fine Arts, Arab World Cultural Center, and Palais de Tokyo in France.
Later this year, the Foundation will open the Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Center at the famous Baiyunguan art gallery in Beijing. The Center will continue to focus on sustainable ecosystem development and environmental protection, as well as work closely with France and other European countries to jointly promote international cultural and artistic exchanges in Beijing.
Translated from: China.com
