Wandering Comfortably in the Floriculture by Shanshan Shiao sits in all its refined glory at the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Flat Bush until November 22.
Temple volunteer Annie Ng, on a guided tour, points out each and every minute detail - a petal, branch or plant of some kind delicately placed with perfect precision.
“You can see her [the artist’s] patience and diligence shine through in these artworks,” says Mrs Ng.
“She also shows compassion in the piece called The Heart Sutra, which she dedicated to her friend who was ill.”
Mrs Ng and the temple’s Reverend Miaoyu say Shanshan’s practice of Buddhism contributes to the splendid quality of her works.
“You can see her dedication to detail using patience and tolerance to succeed,” says Reverend Miaoyu. “By giving and sharing her gift with the world, she is selflessly bringing joy to others.”
This is the first time the artist’s work has come to New Zealand. From Flat Bush, the exhibition will travel to Christchurch for a few months before going on Australia and then America.
The artist is visiting Aotearoa towards the end of her exhibition and Fo Guang Shan Temple will host an evening with the artist on November 21.
There will be a scrumptious four-course vegetarian banquet and Shanshan will talk about her technique so visitors can gain insight of how she works. Her charming collection, illustrated in her book, is available at the temple gallery.
Reverend Miaoyu, who resides at the temple almost permanently, says despite the fact she has walked through the gallery many times, she is still amazed at the artist’s meticulousness execution and “gift of beauty”.
