A photo exhibition showcasing the life of Rewi Alley in New Zealand and China attracted larger than anticipated crowds for its two days in the Cambridge Town Hall last week.
See: Rewi Alley’s legacy celebrated
Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk with the New Zealand China Friendship Society’s national president Chris Lipscombe. Photo: Michael Jeans.
The foster son of Alley – a Christchurch-born writer and political activist who lived in China for 60 years – attended the event.
Rewi Alley sculpture. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Artist Deng Banzhen and his wife Lu Bo, who created the exhibition’s statues and is a sculptor, shared their memories of the man they called Uncle Alley.
Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, who opened the exhibition, said she was moved by the love they had for Alley.
“It is very clear today that Rewi Alley played such an incredible role over his six decades in China to establish greater friendship, understanding and goodwill between our two countries,” she said.
Also present were members of the New Zealand China Friendship Society and its national president Chris Lipscombe, the New Zealand Rewi Alley Friendship memorial committee – who organised the exhibition – and staff from the Chinese embassy and consulate.
Opening of the Rewi Alley exhibition. Photo: Michael Jeans.
Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk is surrounded by members of the official welcoming party at the Rewi Alley exhibition in the Cambridge Town Hall. Photo: Michael Jeans.
