Paris • Chinese Painting: Legacy of the 20th Century Chinese Masters

Until 2014.9.21
Chinese Fine Art Gallery (4/F)

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Musée Cernuschi, Asian Arts Museum of Paris and the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques Guimet
Supported by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau
Sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Private Banking
A programme of Le French May and France-Chine 50

Paris has long been a European art and cultural hub where the liberal atmosphere enabled different streams of thought to burgeon and thrive, and since the 20th century this city has seen generations of Chinese artists hone their painting skills. Following the trend to learn from the West new ways of transforming traditional conventions, these artists left their motherland in search of inspiration. Visiting museums and learning under the guidance of masters, they acquired Western painting skills and perceptions, pioneering a revolution in Chinese painting art circles.

Artists like Liu Haisu, Xu Beihong, Lin Fengmian and Pan Yuliang left early for France. These young Chinese artists had a mission. After returning to China, they contributed immensely to the introduction of artistic trends from overseas, the development of oil painting and bouleversement of Chinese painting. They also founded fine arts schools in the country, cultivating in a new generation of painters the aspiration to further their studies in France. Among these students, Zao Wou-ki, Chu Teh-chun and Wu Guanzhong became well-known figures in the international art scene, anchoring the notion of ‘creating the art of an era'.

This exhibition showcases almost a hundred works, including oil paintings, Chinese ink paintings, sketches, lithographs, sculptures and more, demonstrating the impact and revelation of European art on 20th century Chinese painting. Exhibits have been composed from the collections of the Musée Cernuschi, Asian Arts Museum of Paris, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and several major institutions in France.

The Musée Cernuschi holds one of the finest Chinese art collections in France, and its Chinese painting collection comprises the works of various Chinese painters who travelled to France during the 20th century, illustrating their different practices and inclinations on the blending of Chinese and Western painting skills.

source: The Hong Kong Museum of Art

Ming and Qing Chinese Arts from the C. P. Lin Collection

Chinese Antiquities Gallery (1) (3/F)

Post-war Hong Kong was fortunate to become a repository for important antiques within the South China region. From 1949, prominent collectors from  mainland China moved to Hong Kong with a dazzling number of Chinese antiques, giving rise to a rare opportunity for collecting exquisite artworks. Veteran local collector Mr Peter C. P. Lin had pursued his studies in the United Kingdom during his early years, and was influenced there by the trend for collecting Chinese antiques, cultivating in him a passion for collecting. Lin refers to it as "bonds between people" and "bonds between objects", which are indeed the maxim of a dedicated art collector.

This exhibition showcases 270 Ming and Qing dynasty artworks from the C. P. Lin Collection, featuring precious objects made exclusively for the imperial court - exquisite porcelains, rare jades, intricately carved rhinoceros horns, ivories and bamboo objets d'art, iridescent painted enamels and glass. Through the materials, colours, craftsmanship, forms, and images of Chinese antiquities, the exhibition focuses on historical Chinese artistic pursuits, drawing viewers to a feast of beauty, and demonstrating a perfect coherence of craftsmanship and aesthetics reflecting the splendour of China. 

 
 Pair of dishes decorated with bamboo and poem infalangcai enamels
Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723 – 1735),
Qing dynasty 


Ivory carving with the Eight Daoist Immortals
Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644)


Copper enamel covered tea cup with floral design
Qianlong period (1736 – 1795), Qing dynasty



source:The Hong Kong Museum of Art

Tempting Touch – the Art of Tong King-sum

Time: 2014.8.8 – 12.31

Location: Contemporary Hong Kong Art Gallery (2/F)

Tong King-sum (1940 – 2008) was born in Hong Kong. He has been keen on art since his younger days, and had worked as designer. He learnt sculpture under Cheung Yee in 1971. Tong became one of the founding members of the Hong Kong Visual Art Society in 1974 and served as the President in 1992. Tong won numerous art awards in Hong Kong and Taiwan, including the "Urban Council Fine Art Award (Sculpture)" in 1977 at the "Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial Exhibition". He has contributed tremendously to Hong Kong art and arts education.

Tong spent his childhood in Lantau Island, where he nurtured his love for nature. The human body, fruit and plants are the favourite themes of his works. His works are signified by a sleek form and texture. His torso sculptures depicted the structure of human body, the texture of bone, flesh and skin in refinement and precision. Be it the human body or a plant, his works permeate with the harmony of nature and beauty of form, which sprang from the artist's subtle yet strong inner vitality.

Featuring 23 sets of works from the collections of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Mrs Tong King-sum, this exhibition aims to pay tribute to Tong King-sum, a well-respected forerunner whose achievement mirrors those of local artists.  

source: The Hong Kong Museum of Art