Back for its fourth year, ART HK 2011 will take place from 26–29 May 2011 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In just three years, ART HK has positioned itself as the key fixture in the international art scene. It is now one of the leading platforms for international, modern and contemporary art in Asia, bringing together collectors, curators, artists and galleries from Asia and all corners of the world.
In 2010, the Fair welcomed 155 of the world’s leading galleries from 29 different countries and an audience of over 46,000. This year, the Fair will showcase 161 galleries worldwide. Included among the leading galleries are the Gagosian Gallery, Hauser & Wirth, Lisson Gallery, Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin and White Cube. ART HK 2011 will also feature two gallery sections – Art Futures and Asia One. Art Futures will showcase emerging talents represented by young galleries while Asia One will present solo exhibitions of Asian artists. Both promise to provide visitors a unique opportunity to experience the newest developments in cutting-edge art.
Do join us for this guided tour to visit seven selected galleries and view their highlights of ART HK 2011.
For the latest updates, please visit http://www.hongkongartfair.com/
We are fortunate to be able to schedule a guided tour with two of Christie’s Asian arts specialists, Rosemary Scott and Pola Antebi to view highlights of the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at Christie’s Spring Exhibition.
Rosemary Scott is the International Academic Director of Christie’s Asian Art Department. Before joining Christie’s, she was Curator of the Percival David Foundation and Head of the Museums Department of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Prior to this, she was Deputy Keeper of the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, responsible for the Oriental Art collections. Scott is the former President of the London Oriental Ceramic Society.
Pola Antebi is the Head of the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Department in Hong Kong, which under her leadership has grown exponentially. She also supports Christie’s sales in London, New York and Paris. Her areas of expertise include imperial ceramics, jades and works of art from the Yuan to the Qing periods. She holds degrees in French Literature and Art History from the University of Vermont in the United States.
Popular scholar Lee Mei-yin will give a comprehensive introduction in cantonese on the historical background, cultural relics, folk lives and grotto systems of Dunhuang. The importance of protection and preservation will also be discussed. It will be an information-packed afternoon with a double-screen presentation for trip participants as well as those who are not. Tea refreshments will be served.
As part of this year’s Le French May 2011, UMAG will present an exhibition, "Dance Melodies in Colours – Paintings by Lalan (神韻舞色 : 謝景籣繪畫)". Also known as Xie Jing Lan (1921–1995), Lalan was first married to abstract master Zao Wou-ki (趙無極). She lived in France for almost 50 years and her artworks undoubtedly reflect the dual influences of both China and France. A woman ahead of her time, Lalan lived her life with passion and courage as an accomplished painter, composer, dancer, choreographer and poet.
Our evening’s programme will begin with a short video of Lalan’s dance and music followed with a guided tour of the exhibition with Zhao Jialing, the only son of Lalan and Zao Wou-ki. Naturally, family stories and interesting artistic insights will be shared.
In addition, Jean-Michel Beurdeley, a close friend of Lalan and Zhao will be present. In 1992, Beurdeley was introduced to Lalan during an exhibition at Guimet Museum in Paris named Journees <<pour la Poesie>>. Fascinated by Lalan’s work, he became an ardent collector of her work and promised to publish her first art album. However, with her untimely death, the album could not materialise.
Coming from four generations of art collectors, Beurdeley was an art dealer who frequently travelled to Asia, promoting art and cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia. He has authored four other publications, including "Thai Forms, Jim Thompson, The House on the Klong, and Following the Manuscript and The Heritage of Thai Sculpture", which won an award from Academie Francaise.
Do join us for an evening of art and friendship.
Synopsis
When the University of Hong Kong was founded a hundred years ago, the presiding Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Frederick Lugard claimed that it was founded for the benefit of China. In fact, Zhang Renjun, the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi was one of the major donors of the University. However, when the University was formally opened in 1912, the Qing regime had already collapsed. It was replaced by a Republic whose first President was one of the first two graduates of the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, often considered the forerunner of The University of Hong Kong. What were the motives behind Zhang’s generous donations? Who were the University’s Mainland students in the Pre-war decades? Has Lugard’s mission been achieved? Why did the University’s mission shift gradually from that of “for China” to that of “for Hong Kong” in the Post-war era? These, together with issues related to the University’s history and development over the past century, will be addressed.
Guest Speaker
Dr. Joseph Ting graduated from The University of Hong Kong in Chinese Literature and Chinese History in 1971 followed with a MPhil in 1979 and a PhD in 1989. He joined the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 1979 as Assistant Curator and was transferred to the Hong Kong Museum of History in 1988 as Curator. Dr. Ting was promoted to Chief Curator in 1995 and he held this position until his retirement in 2007. During this period, he was involved with the planning and completion of several new museums – the new Hong Kong Museum of History with its permanent exhibition, the “Hong Kong Story”, Museum of Coastal Defense, and the Sun Yat-sen Museum. At present, he is Honorary Advisor to numerous cultural institutions both in Hong Kong and China, including UMAG.
Japanese installation artist and floral designer, Masao Mizukami, was born in Tokyo to an artistic family. He studied Fine Art at the Tokyo Art University and later at the L'Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His marriage to watercolour artist, Yu Lai Yin, as well as extensive travels to various parts of the world, have further inspired and nurtured his creative spirit.
Combining deep thought, sublime passion, sensitive observation of the seasons in nature and by exploring the infinite possibilities in space, Masao transforms each of his floral designs into an extraordinary work of art. His works often remind us to cherish, protect and preserve the beauty of our environment. Leonardo de Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication”. This workshop will reveal how Masao utilizes his talents to crystallize poetry in flowers.
Masao is President of Masao Flower Design Academy in Hong Kong, Professor of Mami Flower Design School in Tokyo, Chairman of HK Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, Senior Advisor to Beijing Flower Association and Technical Advisor to Beijing Olympic Games Flower Distribution Centre. He has published several art albums and also presented numerous solo exhibitions and demonstrations at various venues, including the Hong Kong Government House, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Flower Show and Television Broadcasts Ltd (TVB).
Qingbai wares are also known as yingqing wares. They refer to porcelains first fired in Jingdezhen during the Song dynasty with translucent glaze tinted with a hint of blue or jade-like green. They were available in multifarious forms including tea cups/stands, dishes, bowls, ewers, boxes and funeral objects with mostly incised or moulded motifs. Later, it was also produced in kilns of Anhui, Zhejiang, Hubei, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi.
Veteran dealer and connoisseur of Chinese art and antiquities in Hong Kong, Kai-yuen Ng graduated cum laude with a B.A. from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Two years after his graduation, he inherited his father's antique business and worked relentlessly to increase his knowledge and expertise. In 1975, he became Assistant Curator of the Hong Kong Art Museum. In 2001, he established K.Y. Fine Art on Hollywood Road and has since gained respect and renown in this field. Ng has collaborated with many art museums and institutions by providing services in appraisal, evaluation and translation. He has also organized exhibitions, edited catalogues and served in various leadership roles in the professional community. Since 2001, he has been the Vice Chairman of the HKACMA's Authentication Committee.
This lecture will be presented mainly in Cantonese, supplemented with some English. His presentation will include numerous visual images to illustrate the subtle differences between works that are genuine and imitated, as well as those from various regions and periods.
This is a special guided tour of Floating Memories, an exhibition of paintings by Beijing-based artist Han Xin. The title evokes the artist's reflections on gardens and landscapes, many with ponds or streams, where he has been inspired to paint.
A native of Shanghai, Han Xin began painting during the difficult period of the 1960's and 1970's. Following studies at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, he moved to the U.S. in 1981 and earned a Master Degree at the California College of Art. As artist-in-residence at Monet's Giverny in 1989, he absorbed new ways of treating light and color that are evident in this exhibition.
For the past ten years, Han Xin's "Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall" series has been displayed in the public lobbies of Prince's Building for shoppers to enjoy. These four paintings will be relocated to Exchange Square permanently so that visitors to the exhibition will be able to view them as well.
Sponsored by Hongkong Land and organized by Sandra Walters Consultancy Ltd., Floating Memories will run from 4-21 April 2011.
Chinese ceramics are among the most sophisticated in the world. Admired by collectors for their impressive visual and tactile qualities, they are also copied by potters the world over who wish to recreate the special qualities of these wares. The beauty of Chinese ceramics is a direct result of the advanced technology and high quality raw materials used by Chinese potters from as early as the Shang dynasty. However, this technology can be difficult to understand, especially for non-scientists. This lecture will introduce and explain the materials and techniques used to create some of the most famous types of Chinese ceramics in a way that is accessible to anyone with an interest in learning more about why these ceramics are considered to be the highest achievement of the potter's art.
Dr. Stacey Pierson is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at The University of Hong Kong. Her permanent position is at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, where she is Lecturer in Chinese Ceramics and Museum Studies. She was previously the Curator of the Percival David Foundation at the same institution and has published a number of catalogues and books on the subject of Chinese ceramics, including Chinese Ceramics: a Design History (2009).
Participants are welcome to bring one ceramic item for Dr. Peterson's comments after dinner.
Ou Dawei is one of Hong Kong's renowned Chinese calligraphers and seal carvers. Born in Guangzhou in 1947, he studied Chinese calligraphy and seal carving with distinguished artist Wu Zifu since 1961. Presently, he is an art advisor to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (Visual Arts Session) as well as part-time lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the School of Professional and Continuing Education of The University of Hong Kong.
A permanent honorary chairman of the Chinese Art Association Mo-she, his publications include the "Selected Seals by Ou Da Wei" series, "Flowing from the Inkwell – Selected Brushwork by Ou Da Wei", and "2003 Realm of Black and Red – Works by Ou Da Wei".
Ou's works are widely exhibited in Hong Kong and overseas and have been selected for numerous Hong Kong Art Biennial exhibitions. He was awarded the Hong Kong Urban Council Fine Arts Award for Calligraphy (1989) and Seal Engraving (1998) and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council Award for Artistic Development (1998).
During this morning's visit, Ou Dawei will introduce members to the fundamentals of Chinese calligraphy and the intricacies of seal carving. From his demonstration, members will observe Ou’s skill and talent for putting a new twist to these traditional skills.
