HKMoA to showcase more than 80 works from Guangdong painting collection (with photos)
An exhibition entitled "Art of the South Nanling: A Selection of Guangdong Painting from the Hong Kong Museum of Art" will be held from tomorrow (June 11) at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA). The exhibition showcases over 80 works from Guangdong dating from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties to the 20th century that present the historical and artistic development of painting in the Lingnan region. Showing how artists from Guangdong facilitated the modernisation of Chinese painting by adopting both traditional and modern ideas, as well as integrating local and foreign elements during the era of great change, the exhibition also highlights how it exerted a major influence on Hong Kong's early painting movement.
"Lingnan" refers to south of the great Nanling Mountains geographically, while leafing through the history of art brings up the term "Lingnan" as a cultural footnote marking the development of art in southern China. Over the past 100 years or so, the region of Guangdong located in South Nanling has become the cradle of modern Chinese painting. From its origins, Guangdong painting quickly flourished and established itself in Chinese art history as a new offshoot branching out from the traditional mainstream of its northern counterparts.
Precious masterpieces by Guangdong artists have been selected from the HKMoA collection for display in this exhibition. The artists include Li Jian, Xie Lansheng and Su Liupeng of the Qing dynasty, who portrayed local Lingnan landscapes in paintings; Ju Chao and Ju Lian of the Geshan school, who employed the ingenious water infusion and powder infusion techniques in depicting plants, birds and insects; the "Three Masters" Gao Jianfu, Gao Qifeng and Chen Shuren, representing the Lingnan school of painting, who promoted reformed art through eclecticism; and Wen Qiqiu, Zhao Haogong and Pan He, who established the Chinese Painting Research Society committed to defending tradition. Later, gifted Guangdong artists such as Huang Bore, Deng Fen, Chao Shao-an, He Qiyuan and Lui Shou-kwan also left their artistic mark in Hong Kong. The territory's unique cultural environment provided vast space for artistic development for Guangdong artists, and new and old trends of thought consequently advanced shoulder to shoulder in this southernmost corner of Lingnan. Together, they wrote a compelling chapter in the early art history of Hong Kong that built on the heritage of the past and opened up a path to the future.
Multimedia art elements have also been included in the exhibition, offering visitors a refreshing experience. An immersive projection display has been set up at the entrance of the gallery, showcasing a panoramic animation designed by Hong Kong artist Oliver Shing. By capturing images from various exhibits, the animation allows visitors to enter the world of paintings, experience the mountains and rivers, bridges and streams featured by the Guangdong artists and review a century of Guangdong painting development.
The exhibition will run from tomorrow until November 3 at the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their name, contact number and date and time of entry before being allowed to enter the museum for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. An appeal is made by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to members of the public to download the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app in advance and scan the QR code with the app before entering. Members of the public who opt for registering their personal information at the scene are reminded to arrive early to avoid delaying their visit, as a longer time is required for such registration.
In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the museum will apply a quota to limit visitor flow. Visitors to the museum will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Children under 12 will only be allowed to enter the museum and exhibition facilities when accompanied by an adult. For details of the exhibition and the admission arrangements, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/art-of-the-south-nanling.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.
