Chinese Fine Art Gallery (4/F)
2013.3.22 – 10.30

The exhibition selects a hundred paintings by different painters across late Ming dynasty to modern times. These exhibits present a wide diversity in subjects as well as styles of Chinese paintings selected from the Museum collection.

Works on display include the paintings of early years by well-known Guangdong painters such as Zhang Mu, Li Jian, Liang Yuwei, Su Liupeng and Su Renshan, etc. In later years, Ju Chao and Ju Lian brothers, who had created the "Geshan School", became the forerunners of the "Lingnan School of Paintings", which marked a milestone in Chinese painting history. Among others, the "Three Masters of the Lingnan School" — Gao Jianfu, Gao Qifeng and Chen Shuren as well as their students, namely He Qiyuan, Zhao Shao'ang, Guan Shanyue and Yang Shanshen, etc., are a group of pioneers who adopted the Western perspective into traditional Chinese paintings. Besides, a number of Guangdong painters from "The Chinese Painting Research Society" like Pan He, Yao Lixiu, etc. also advocated reforms on Chinese paintings and their views had exerted great impact on the art circle at that time.

Since the 20th century, particularly after the founding of the People's Republic of China, painters throughout the country such as Qi Baishi, Huang Binhong, Xu Beihong, Pan Tianshou, Lin Fengmian, Zhang Daqian, Li Keran, Lu Yanshao, and also contemporary painters like Wu Guanzhong and Huang Yongyu, etc., all sought to break away from traditional styles of painting under the influence of western ideas — either adapting Western techniques, or making innovative moves in reference of the traditional methods; their efforts have all contributed to the diversity of painting styles of the time. Meanwhile, some painters in Hong Kong insisted to preserve the Chinese painting traditions, namely Li Yanshan, Huang Bore, Peng Ximing, etc. On the other hand, there were some painters who advocated innovative and revolutionary ink paintings like Ding Yanyong, Liu Guosong and Lu Shoukun, etc. After mid-1980s, the "New Literati Paintings" emerged in the tide of "Cultural Revival". A group of young Chinese painters who had experienced the Cultural Revolution including Shi Hu, Hu Yongkai, Nie Ou and Lu Fusheng, etc. developed a unique art scene of the time and its influence still echoes today.

Audio Guide

Special Exhibition Gallery and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Gallery (2/F)
2013.5.17 – 8.18

Since 2008, the Hong Kong Museum of Art has organised the exhibition series "Hong Kong Art: Open Dialogue" with the purpose of exploring different aspects of art in Hong Kong and providing a diversified art experience. It includes "Digit@logue" (curated by Ms Ellen Pau), "New Ink Art: Innovation and Beyond" (curated by Mrs Alice King), "Looking for Antonio Mak" (curated by Ms Valerie C. Doran) and "Charming Experience" (curated by Ms Grace Cheng). "The Origin of Dao: New Dimensions in Chinese Contemporary Art," curated by Professor Pi Daojian, will be the final one of the exhibition series.

Viewing the development of Chinese contemporary art, the unique essence of traditional Chinese art has been incorporated into various new practices which give voice to contemporary values and spiritual pursuits. More than 30 Chinese artists from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and overseas will be exhibiting paintings, lacquerware, ceramics, installations, video and animation which represent the transformation of artistic creation as well as cultural reflection in Chinese contemporary art.

A two-day international symposium will also be held at Lecture Hal l with an aim to thoroughly discuss the practice and discourse of Chinese traditional art medium in contemporary art.

Chinese Antiquities Gallery (2) (1/F)

The Hong Kong Museum of Art celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2012. She was born together with the Hong Kong City Hall in March 1962. On the top three floors of the City Hall High Block, there were The City Museum and Art Gallery, the predecessor of the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

Thanks to the support of collectors, artists and sponsors, the Museum has managed to build up a comprehensive collection of more than 15,800 items. Yet what matter the most are the passion and stories that are hidden behind. Looking back to the road trodden in the past 50 years, it is easy to see that we do not collect mere objects, but we are collecting people and their stories, and we are collecting for the people and with the people of Hong Kong.

Over the decades, many behind-the-scene players have been crucial in shaping the Museum and our history. They include many generous donors, our supportive Friends, the expert advisors, voluntary docents, artists, sponsors, collaborators… and above all, our ex-curators and colleagues, as well as our visitors. To celebrate and to commemorate this memorable occasion, we offer 50 fond stories in this exhibition. These stories will be a recollection of people and unknown anecdotes associated with the Museum, from which we walked through the past decades and now in pursuit of our next 50 years with Hong Kong.

Xubaizhai Gallery of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy (2/F)
Until 2013.7.21

Mr Low Chuck-tiew (1911 – 1993) was a Singaporean Chinese banker who came to live in Hong Kong in 1949. The political turmoil on the Mainland which led to an influx of valuable Chinese art into Hong Kong inspired Mr Low to start collecting ancient Chinese paintings and calligraphy. For more than 30 years, he devoted himself to this objective, to the extent of depleting his private resources, though managing to build a considerable collection that won international accolade as well as the hearty approval of connoisseurs.

After years of planning, in 1989 Mr Low decided to donate his Xubaizhai Collection to the Hong Kong Museum of Art. In tribute, the Museum built the Xubaizhai Gallery to exhibit a rotating permanent display of this remarkable collection. The gallery opened to the public on 26 September 1992.

The Museum holds thematic exhibitions and publishes relevant catalogues and books, in fulfilment of Mr Low's wish to use the collection to promote appreciation of Chinese painting and calligraphy. As we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Xubaizhai Gallery in 2012, we picked out representative works by 20 great masters in the collection for an exhibition that would highlight once again, Mr Low's spirit of giving.

Audio Guide