#ruilin

Photograph of 瑞麟 Ruilin, 兩廣總督 Viceroy of Liangguang, by John Thomson, printed in Illustrations of China and Its People Vol. 1., 2ed edition (London: Sampson, Low, Marston, Low and Searle, 1874).

Here is Thomson's biographical sketch:

"THE governor-general (Jui-Lin) of the provinces of Kwang-tung and Kwang-si, familiarly called the viceroy of Canton, from the locality in which his residence is situated, is one of the highest dignitaries in the Chinese empire, and at the same time is, perhaps, of all Chinese officials the most widely known by Europeans. A Manchu by birth, he became at an early age employed in public functions at the capital ; and, having gained the favour of the Emperor Tao Kwang, he rose to high employ, reaching at length the dignity of cabinet minister, when about forty-five years of age. After occupying this post for several years, he was degraded from his rank and honours in consequence of the defeat which befell the Chinese forces at the battle of Pa li Chiao, in October, i860, on the advance of the British and French forces against Peking. At this engagement Jui-lin officiated as second in command, and narrowly escaped being taken prisoner. Having served subsequently to this period in the operations conducted against the Nien Fei banditti, Jui-lin was re-admitted to favour, and in 1864 was appointed to fill the important office of general commanding the Tartar garrison of Canton. In the following year he took charge of the governor- generalship or viceroyalty of the two provinces on the occurrence of a vacancy, and shortly afterwards was confirmed in this distinguished post, which he has held without intermission until the present day. The importance of his position, and the proximity of the British Colony of Hong-Kong to his seat of government, combine to bring the governor-general into frequent personal relations with European officials, with whom his intercourse has invariably been marked by perfect courtesy, and an obvious desire to cultivate friendly relations. Under his administration the provincial revenue has prospered, a degree of public tranquillity unknown for many years previously has been attained, and ameliorations have been introduced in several departments of the public service, including the organization of a squadron of steam gunboats commanded by European officers, through which piracy, once rampant on the coast, has been almost wholly extinguished. The governor-general was restored in 1869 to the rank of cabinet minister ; and in July, 1872, he was promoted to one of the highest posts in the ministry of state. He is at present about sixty-five years of age."

The final week of the exhibition CACOTOPIA 03 saw Aaron Scheer exhibit a number of recent digital paintings. Created on a variety of digital devices, Scheer’s works utilise the digital realm to combine elements of collage, photography and painterly technique to expand what painting can be and mean today.                                                                                                                 The third edition of the now annual show, which follows the format established by the gallery’s successful first and second CACOTOPIA exhibitions, unfolds over the course of five weeks, with a new artist featuring each week. The artists featured in CACOTOPIA 03 are Daria Blum (Central Saint Martins), Johanna Flato (Royal College of Art), Rui Lin (Goldsmiths University of London), Marton Nemes (Chelsea College of Art) and Aaron Scheer (Gothenburg School of Design and Crafts).

The exhibition of Aaron Scheer was on view from 30 January - 2 March, 2019 at AKG, London                                                                                                                       ANNKA KULTYS GALLERY

472 Hackney Road | Unit 3, 1st Floor | London, E2 9EQ | T +44 20 3302 6070 | www.annkakultys.com | Thursday – Saturday 12 – 6 pm or by appointment _____ Pictured: Installation view, Aaron Scheer: CACOTOPIA 03, Annka Kultys Gallery 2018. © Aaron Scheer.