Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s4.t3.69

v2.c11.s4.t3.69

In 1952, Hussain visited China for the first time, and met the painter Qi Baishi, who sent him a painting as a gift. In July 1984, Hussain visited China for the second time at the invitation of Chinese Artists Association, when he visited the painter Ye Qianyu and Xu Beihong’s Memorial Hall. At the dinner held in his honour at Hongbinlou Restaurant in Beijing held by Wu Zuoren, Chairman of Chinese Artists Association, Hussain said, “I have Chinese ancestry in my body. One of my ancestors is Chinese. In India there is an old saying, ‘To seek knowledge, you have to go to China. Both India and China are ancient civilisations with very long traditions of arts. Oriental art is nowhere subordinate to western art. The modern western art is obviously influenced by oriental art. I believe that in the near future, oriental art will be able to revive.” After returning home, Hussain held a personal exhibition on his trip to China in New Delhi and the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi attended the exhibition.