CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Five artists from Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and Armenia showed Chongqing citizens their vision of Chengdu and Chongqing in Jinshanyiku, Yubei District on June 10. A bird's-eye view of the sunset in Yuzhong in Nanshan, a view of the intersection of the two rivers from the other side of the river, the Chinese style architecture – Huguang Guild Hall, and the statues of Dazu Rock Carvings... These exquisite paintings with unique characteristics of Chongqing attracted many onlookers.

These paintings were all created by British Consul General Stephen Ellison in Chongqing. He named the exhibition "巴适" (Ba Shi), and said "I really like Chongqing, so this name came to the mind of one of our artist friends to show my love for Chongqing.”

In 2019, when Stephen Ellison was appointed as the British Consul General in Chongqing, he came into people's sight for rescuing a girl who fell into the water. At the end of June this year, he will step down from his position as the Consul General and return to the UK. And this painting exhibition will be also the retirement gift prepared by Stephen Ellison for himself and Chongqing.

At the "Ba Shi – ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ of Foreign Artists" art exhibition, in addition to Stephen Ellison, four other foreign artists who have lived in Chengdu and Chongqing for a long time also exhibited their own works. A total of 61 works were displayed, which, based on their living experience in China, were created by refining their understanding of the "Ba Shi" experience of Chinese culture and life. The art exhibition will continue until June 18.

At the head of the exhibition, several works by Stephen Ellison were exhibited, with many Chongqing elements used in most of his paintings. “As I’m getting older, I have always thinking of painting and art creating. In Chongqing, I think there are many things for painting," said Stephen Ellison bluntly.

Among these paintings, Stephen Ellison’s favorite is the oil painting Yangtze River Enveloped by Clouds. "It is a painting depicting a very peculiar landscape with bright colors, which carries my memories of Chongqing.”

For these beloved paintings, Stephen Ellison has his own plans. His more than ten works at the exhibition, as well as the Rabbit Year New Year print White Rabbit created by British artist Paul James and printed by Stephen Ellison, will be auctioned simultaneously on the "Huaxia Cultural Relics Online" mini program. The auction proceeds will be donated to local charitable organizations in Chongqing as a gift for the people of Chongqing when he leaves office.

“人们常说，人走茶凉，但我永远不会忘记重庆，不会忘记中国。" (People often say that no sooner has the person gone away than the tea cools down, but I will never forget Chongqing or China.) He expressed his feelings for the city in Chinese fluently. (Translated by Hu Chuanmin, Fathom Language Limited)