French Open unveils 2015 poster

2015 French Open poster

Paris, Dec 19 (IANS)

French Open organisers have unveiled the 2015 Roland-Garro poster, while its designer Du Zhenjun has become the first Chinese artist in 35 years to create a work of art for the Grand Slam tennis tournament. The 2015 French Open poster depicts a player serving to begin a point, the shot so crisp and powerful that the ball almost seems to rip right through the canvas, reports Xinhua.

Du, inspired his poster from both his Asian roots and contemporary Western art, explained that he chose to focus on the game itself while designing the poster.

"The speed and the movement of the ball are symbolised by a line which actually forms the main element of the poster," said the 53-year-old here Thursday, trained in traditional jade engraving, traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy back in his native Shanghai.

"The painting also expresses something that is quite Asian, since the line traced through the centre of the work is part of the Zen aesthetics," he added.

According to Du, the original of the poster was made on rice paper before being taped onto canvas.

"I used a typically Chinese painting technique with ink," he continued. "The poster is a mix of Asian and contemporary art, and I hope the public like it."

Since 1980, the French Open has been inviting an artist to create a poster each year, which is a part of the Rolland Garros tradition.