A local artist is hoping to use this weekend’s inaugural Richmond World Festival as a platform to raise awareness of one of the planet’s dying species.
Ming Yeung has created a series of Chinese paintings inspired by the plight of the various types of rhino that are being poached into extinction around the Earth.
Called Love our Rhinos, Yeung’s handcrafted paintings will be exhibited for the first time at Saturday’s new Richmond World Festival, being held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Minoru Park.
“The northern white rhinoceros is the closest to extinction, but Indonesia’s Javan and Sumatran rhinos are not far behind,” said Yeung, who teaches Chinese painting in Coquitlam.
“Africa’s black rhinos are also critically endangered, while the southern white rhinoceros are “near threatened,” due to being illegally poached.”
To honour the species, Yeung has devoted the entire, rice paper project to inspiring the public and future generations to get involved spreading the word of how close the rhino is to being no more.
“I view every opportunity to display artwork and educate our community as a wonderful way to engage the public in the arts experience,” added Hong Kong-born Yeung, who will soon be running workshops at the new City Centre Community Centre on No. 3 Road and Firbridge Way.
“Most Canadians have no concept of the poaching and I really wanted to bring some attention to the issue.
“In China, there is a heavy demand for rhino horn, which can be sold for up to $60,000 per kilo. And I really don’t want to see beautiful creatures disappearing from our world.”
After the Richmond World Festival, Yeung is taking her project to Vancouver, the Tri-Cities and then hopefully Port Moody.
*Meanwhile, Saturday’s free festival is being billed as a “smorgasbord of music, food, sports and culture” at Minoru Park.
Featuring headline performances by duo and festival circuit favourites Matt and Kim and Grammy-winning Alex Cuba, the festival boasts an array of performances on multiple stages. Music, dance, visual arts, poets, chefs, and a multi-media “Digital Carnival” will entertain festivalgoers from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
And more than 35 of the region’s most popular food trucks will feature ethnic specialties from nations around the globe. A number of acclaimed, local chefs will be sharing their secrets throughout the day on the Richmond Centre Culinary stage.
Drivers are encouraged to carpool as limited parking is available at Richmond Centre, Richmond City Hall and the surrounding neighbourhood. For the full list of entertainment, go to www.richmondworldfestival.com and for updates, contests, go to facebook.com/richmondworldfest, or @FunRichmond on Twitter.
