This exhibit shared the architecture of Shandong, honored for its diversity and aesthetic beauty. The current Shandong Province is located in the territories known in ancient China as State Qi and State Lu. In ancient times, it was a place known for its liberal politics, prosperous economy, advanced culture and religion. All of these factors, which distinguished this area as a leading power in the nation, provided the material and technological foundation for a unique style of architecture to emerge and develop. Even today, the ancient architectural heritage of Shandong, known as the Qi-Lu tradition, still shines splendidly. Some of these ancient relics are recognized as "State Cultural Relics Preservation" and others as "World Cultural Relics Preservation" by the United Nations. These architectural treasures, which include various styles of towers, balconies, pagodas, pavilions, temples, corridors, squares, and gardens, embody the secrets of the oriental art of architecture in their combinations of sculpture, painting, craft, and horticulture. This private collection of 60 photographs represent the best of Chinese architecture.

Bio of Artist

Mr. Yuan Yi-Ping is a chief journalist of the People's Daily in Shandong Province, Vice President of the Shandong Association of Photography, and a Professor at Shandong Art Institute. His photography career began in the military in 1945. Four years later, after the founding of the People's Republic of China, he started his first of 40 years with the People's Daily as a journalist. During that time he provided thousands of photos for newspapers, magazines and journals. For People's Daily alone, he provided 3,700 photos, of which more than three hundred are collected by the National Archive Bureau as significant documents of important historical events. In addition to having won several national and international photography contests, he was awarded an honor certificate by the International Journalist Association. He also has published more than fifty articles in academic journals. The collections of his photography include: Qu-Fu Cultural Relics and Historical Sites, Tai Mountain, the Art of Photograph: Selection, and Attractions in Shandong. After his retirement in 1988, Mr. Yuan Yi-Ping still pursues his artistic creation in photography and engages in instruction of commercial art and photography. This exhibition of "Photographic Art of the Ancient Architect: Shandong, China" is his newest creation. He sincerely hopes this exhibition will help promote cultural exchange and friendship between the Chinese and American people.