"The joint exhibition by artists from Shandong and South Australia marks their ever-deepening cultural exchanges," said Wang Tingqi, deputy director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture, at the opening ceremony on May 10.

"A joint exhibition by artists of both sides will be held in South Australia next year, selected paintings from which will be published in an album to enhance mutual understanding and further consolidate the friendship."

Wang Tingqi, deputy director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture, delivers a speech during the exhibition's opening ceremony at Jinan's Dashun Gallery on May 10 . [Photo/jnnc.com]

"Each year, arts and culture have helped strengthen the bonds between South Australia and Shandong and have played an important part in advancing our connections," said Martin Hamilton-Smith, minister for Investment and Trade of South Australia.

"This exhibition is a wonderful example of the how these links can be mutually beneficial and help artists from both countries access international markets."

The exhibition is part of the South Australia State Government's cultural delegation to Shandong from May 8 to 13. The delegation of five South Australian artists is scheduled to conduct a series of exchanges including painting and drawing trips in Jinan and its nearby towns and countryside, visits to art galleries, museums and artists' studios, and demonstrations and talks with local artists and visual arts students and lecturers in universities and colleges.

Forty-three paintings by artists from South Australia and Shandong are on display at the Dashun Gallery in Jinan from May 10 to 12. [Photo/WeChat account: Dashun Gallery]