How are you?


Now I would like to share a good news with you from Sydney, Australia.


My thesis proposal of dissertation for the degree of Master of Fine Arts was approved by a group of 5 professors (Prof. Li Liyang, Prof. Li Yi, Prof. Deng Fuxing, Prof. Ren Ping and Prof. Gao Tianmin) in the conference by the good directions and lead of my Supervisor -- Professor Mu Jiashan(he is on the second photo on the left and the third photo on the right) and the nice help of the tutors of the Fine Arts Department of Graduate School at Chinese National Academy of Arts -- Ms. Jiang Man, Dr. Wang Shuyi, the the monitor - Dr. Lin Xiahan and my classmates -- Mr. Liu Xiaolong and Xiedi.


Maybe you are surprised why Shirley I was in the conference for the doctoral students when you see the photos. Because I am a candidate who applies the Master Degree of Fine Arts with the identity of having the same educational level, so, according to the rule of the school: the academic level of my paper must reach the level between doctor and master and should be the best one among the papers for master degrees. Therefore, it should reaches 30,000 or more Chinese characters ( but the general candidates for master degree’papers should be 5,000 Chinese characters) and mine should be checked and directed by 5 professors besides my own supervisor (but the general candidates's for master degrees are checked and directed by 3 professors).


Then in the upcoming 2 years, I will have to be accepted an inspection of the group of the professors at the similar time in 2018 and make the thesis oral defense in May, 2019. If it is approved, I will get my Master degree of Fine Arts – MFA in July, 2019.


To be honest, when I saw my supervisor especially came back Bejing from his travel, after the 5 professors said my selected topic “yes”, and then pointed out some problems on my writing thoughts, then they gave me so many responsible and detail directions with so patient and so kind smiles, such as how to adjust my thought line, how to focus on my theme, which chapters should be cancelled and which chapters should be enhanced and so on... it was full of the appreciations and warm in my heart.


Then, after I went out of the examination room, the more I thought, the more I was moved: I didn't really realize until that time that the country and the school have had to spend so much cost on training a senior professional artist or artistic theorist -- 5 professors who are the supervisors of candidates for doctoral degrees and 1 professor who is the supervisor of candidates for master degree came to the scene, some tutors organized the conference from the Fine Arts Department of the Graduate School and so much support from the other departments... I, Shirley, was only an amateur originally, came into the highest art research organization of China after having only professional studied for 1 year in China Central Academy of Fine Arts, but I would unexpectedly study in Chinese National Academy of Arts for 8 years (2011 to 2019). What a big benefaction it is ! What a lucky person I am! How did I have the idea to leave school recently? Now, when I think of it, I do feel so much shame, and I would really like to cherish my luck and the wonderful study opportunity with my 120% efforts.


With a grateful heart, as soon as I went out of the school and after dealing with something for my travel, I went to the airport and arrived in Sydney ahead for 11 hours before my visa expires.


After seeing my family member and staying in Sydney for a short time, I would like to go back to Beijing as soon as possible and to finish the final jobs on finishing my publication which needs for only 1 week to 10 days. I feel sorry for the publishing house had given me the final documents which they had finished on Sept 29 but I have no time to work on it with my engineers yet.


As soon as I complete the job, I will put myself into the paper writing and painting study and creation.


How about you? Do you have anything special to share?


Photo Notes :
No. 1: My Supervisor Professor Mu Jiashan is introducing my paper.
No. 2: From left to right: Prof. Li Liyang, Prof. Li Yi, Prof. Deng Fuxing, Prof. Ren Ping and Prof. Gao Tianmin and Prof. Mu Jiashan
No. 3: The scene of thesis proposal conference in Chinese National Academy of Arts Oct 16, 2017
No.4: I went out of the school after the thesis proposal.

No.5: Enjoyed my Chinese food before I left for the airport.
No. 6. & No.7: My former classmate Mrs. Wang Xiuxiang & her husband came to see me on Sept 20,2017
No. 9. My former student and friend Mrs. Zhao Chunlan came to see me on Sept 7,2017
No. 10. I went to enroll in the school on Sept 4, 2017

No. 11. A place which my son worked before in Sydney, Australia. I am just a student on Art of Painting, Music, English and Management,and work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do something with what I have learned, to make this little web site to be a little Electronic Bridge of Cross -cultural Art Study, Exchange and Chinese Language & Art Learning. To help the others while to improve myself.

I would like to appreciate you for your understanding, directions, supports and help.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or leave your message on Message Board.

Shirley Yiping Zhang

Oct 18, 2017 (Beijing Time)