CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The Fourth Constellation Award Exhibition of Outstanding Art and Calligraphy Works opened at the Art Museum of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute on October 17.

Since its inception in 2020, the Constellation Award has been successfully held four times, gaining widespread recognition within the art community. The theme for this year's exhibition, "Glowing with New Radiance," aims to shine a light on the growth of professional graduate students and their mentors, nurturing creativity in teaching and artistic creation.

The exhibition began accepting submissions on September 27, gathering 87 pieces (or groups of works) from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and 18 other universities. After a stringent preliminary review, 25 entries were shortlisted for a second evaluation. On the morning of October 17, the 25 finalists presented their works and defended their creative process before the panel of judges.

Curator Liu Yanrong shared that this year marks the fourth edition of the Constellation Award, which has consistently encouraged participation from graduate students. A key difference this year is the expanded inclusion of 12 additional provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in western China. Additionally, two new universities, recently accredited with national professional doctoral programs, joined the competition. Altogether, 19 institutions from the western region were represented.

The exhibited works fall into three categories: experimental, ethnic-themed, and photography. The judging criteria, however, remain consistent across all categories - regardless of medium, age, or perspective, the panel prioritizes originality and innovation in content.

One of the most celebrated honors, the Constellation Inheritance Award, was claimed by Suerqin, a graduate student from Inner Mongolia Normal University. His piece, A Moment’s Rest III, centers on the traditional Mongolian wrestling sport known as “Burk”. In an interview, Suerqin explained that his passion for the sport and his deep understanding of Mongolian culture inspired the work. He chose black-and-white woodcuts, a monochromatic medium, to convey the essence of the sport and its athletes. Suerqin hopes his work embodies the unwavering spirit and toughness of the wrestlers, capturing the rugged strength of the Mongolian steppes.

“I’ve always loved watching Burk matches,” Suerqin told reporters. “I’ve heard stories about it since childhood, and when I finally saw it live, I found it incredibly powerful.” Instead of focusing on the competition itself, Suerqin chose to depict a moment of rest, capturing the camaraderie between the athletes during breaks. He believes this illustrates the open-heartedness and core values of the Mongolian people, who, despite being fierce opponents in the ring, find peace and harmony in these quiet moments.

The exhibition runs until November 10, and visitors can make free reservations through the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Art Museum’s online booking system. Don’t miss the chance to experience these incredible works firsthand! (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)