PAINTING

Description: THE PAINTING ITSELF IS OFF A MAN, IN THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE STYLE. VERY COLORFUL. THE PAINTING IS WRAPPED IN PAPER AND PLACED IN A CARDBOARD BOX. THE LID TO THIS BOX IS ORNATELY COLORED WITH AN ELABORATE PURPLE / YELLOW / GREEN DESIGN. ON THE FACE OF THE LID, THERE ARE TWO STICKERS. THE FIRST, AND MOST PROMINANT OF THEM IS PRIMARILY WHITE, WITH CHINESE CHARACTERS IN BLACK, AND RED. THE SECOND STICKER IS RED WITH A CHINESE CHARACTER IN GOLD ON IT. ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX THERE IS A STICKER WHICH READS, "PRESENTED BY MAYOR ZHAI HI CHANG HENGSHUI CITY, HEBEI PROVINCE SEPTEMBER 6, 1994".

History: THIS TAPESTRY IS FROM MAYOR ZHAI JI CHANG FROM HENGSHUI CITY IN HEIBEI PROVINCE. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LETHBRIDGE AND THIS PROVINCE (AND CITY) CENTERED AROUND THE RESEARCH STATION. A NUMBER OF RESEARCH ASSISTANTS WENT TO CHINA TO HELP ASSIST IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES. THE CONTINUED INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO AREA'S RESULTED IN NUMEROUS VISITS. ACCORDING TO S.E. ASIAN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY, WHENEVER OFFICIAL VISITS OCCUR, IT IS NECESSARY TO BRING A GIFT. THIS PAINTING IS SUCH A GIFT.