“THE SILENT STRENGTH OF LIU XIA” MAKES ITS PREMIERE ON CHINESE SOIL

Photo Exhibit Highlights the Works of Imprisoned Artist, Wife of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo

Opening reception for the exhibit “The Silent Strength of Liu Xia,” photographs by the artist and poet Liu Xia, who has been imprisoned in her home since her husband, Liu Xiaobo, won the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2010. Her work has never been shown publicly in China. The reception will be followed by the Independent Chinese PEN Center’s Awards Ceremony and seminar on Truth and Literature in China.

WHEN: June 9, 2012  10AM-11:30AM. (Reception and Opening Ceremony); 11:30AM-12:30PM. (Awards Ceremony); 2PM-5PM. (Seminar on Truth and Literature in China)

WHERE: City University of Hong Kong, Covered Terrace A, Floor 4, Amenities Building

Press who plan to attend should RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected]

“The Silent Strength of Liu Xia,” curated by Guy Sorman and A. D. Coleman, comprises 26 photographs created by the Beijing photographer and poet, and wife of the imprisoned 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo. This exhibit premiered in Boulogne, France, in October 2011. Most recently it was on view at the Italian Academy at Columbia University in New York City. The current exhibition will be held at the City University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Arts Centre, and marks the first showing of these photographs on Chinese soil.

Liu Xia, a founding member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center (ICPC), has been held under house arrest since October 14, 2010, following the announcement that her husband, writer and former ICPC President Liu Xiaobo, was the recipient of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. She has been virtually incommunicado since that time.

The exhibit will be available for public viewing at the City University of Hong Kong from June 9 through June 23. It then will be on display at the Hong Kong Arts Centre from June 26 through July 2. Several behavioral artists and a Chinese violinist will perform during the opening ceremony on June 9, followed by ICPC’s annual awards ceremony, where honors will be given to mainland Chinese writers Yang Xianhui, Ai Xiaoming, Hada, Qing Yongmin, and Chen Wei. ICPC will also release its Literature Almanac, a collection of members’ writings, during a seminar on Truth and Literature in China.

“The Silent Strength of Liu Xia” is being organized and sponsored by the Independent Chinese PEN Center with support from PEN American Center.

Patrick Poon, Independent Chinese PEN Center, +852 94173765, [email protected]
Sarah Hoffman, PEN American Center, +852 95450513, [email protected]