Artist recreates ancient treasure

Ōrewa artist Kevin Feng is working on a passion project to recreate an ancient Chinese treasure, The Night Revels of Han Xizai.

The original painting, attributed to artist Gu Hongzhong, was created during China’s Southern Tang dynasty more than a thousand years ago, in the 10th century. The handscroll depicts scenes from lavish banquets hosted by Han Xizai, a high-ranking official in the court of Emperor Li Yu.

The original artwork is housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing, China. In Chinese culture, reproducing masterpiece paintings is a long-established tradition. It is seen as a way to honour and preserve the legacy of the artist while deepening the reproducer’s understanding of the techniques used to create the original work. Kevin has followed this practice, using traditional brush and ink techniques on special scroll paper. He will complete the reproduction using authentic paint and colouring methods.

Originally a university art teacher in China, Kevin taught art in Ōrewa for the past 10 years. He continues to offer private lessons alongside creating his own work, and is planning an exhibition in September.

Kevin’s reproduction of The Night Revels of Han Xizai is on display at Whangaparāoa Library as part of the Chinese New Year Festival.