Han Meilin (left) Photo: Courtesy of Han Meilin Art Museum

Creator of numerous significant artworks, 79-year-old Han Meilin was named UNESCO Artist for Peace on Wednesday, becoming the first Chinese artist in the field of fine art given the honor.

    "Mr. Han Meilin is designated in recognition of his long-term commitment to promoting art and artistic education in China, his support to providing quality education to young people, notably through projects led by the Han Meilin Art Foundation, and his dedication to the ideals and aims of the organization," said Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, in a ceremony at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Wednesday.

One of the rare artists in China versed in many different art forms including painting, sculpture, porcelain, design and calligraphy, Han has created a number of artworks specifically for important national and international events. In 1996, he designed the Five-Dragon Clock Tower for the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. In 2008, he designed the Fuwa, the five mascots for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

One of Han's latest works this year, Watching Peace, a 7-meter-high bronze sculpture, was presented as a gift to UNESCO by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to France and meeting with Bokova on June 30.

Although Han is almost in this 80s, he is still quite a prolific artist. Currently he is working on the second part of his Heaven Book series, in which he has collected over 30,000 ancient Chinese characters.

At the ceremony Han explained that as the UNESCO Artist for Peace he will mainly be engaged in supporting the organization's activities, especially in the fields of culture and art education.

The title of UNESCO Artist for Peace is given to artists or art troupes who have made remarkable contributions in their fields. Previous recipients include Canadian singer Celine Dion, Chinese actress Gong Li and the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe.

Global Times