Reminder: Annual General Meeting Lecture and Dinner

Lecture – Hong Kong in the Eyes of Travellers from 1816-1941, by Joseph Ting

Located at the southern tip of Mainland China and at the crossroad of northeastern and southeastern Asia, Hong Kong has long been the gateway to China and a port of call for travelers of all sorts and nationalities. Over the years, many a travelers have stopped over at Hong Kong and left written or visual account which shed light on the development and uniqueness of the place. The talk will introduce 20 travellers who have passed through Hong Kong between 1816 and 1941 and their impressions of the Pearl of the Orient.   

Tour of the Hong Kong Baptist University Academy of Visual Arts

The home of the recently established HKBU Academy of Visual Arts is in a Grade 1 historical building in Kwun Tong which was formerly the Royal Air Force (RAF) Officers’ Mess. An early 20th century colonial style building with high ceilings, spacious rooms and scenic views and surroundings, it is a fitting environment for creative work. Our visit will include a tour of the Gallery displaying current student artworks, followed by a glass-blowing demonstration in the Glass Art Studio. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Prof. Wan Qingli, Director of the Academy and a well-known painter and expert on Chinese painting, will guide the tour.

A renowned artist and committed educator, Ho Chat-yuen (1899-1970) was a disciple of the Lingnan master Gao Qifeng. Ho dedicated himself to art education and taught at Northcote College, Grantham College until 1959. He was also the founder of the Hong Kong Fine Arts Association. The HKMA is honoured to have received a donation of 84 works of art from the Ho family. HKMA Docent Kitty Shum will guide us through the exhibition. Refreshments will be served in the Friends room prior to the tour.

Tour of exhibition “Made in Hong Kong” at the HKMA

Contrary to the barren cultural environment that people associate with Hong Kong, “Made in Hong Kong” illustrates the diversity of artistic talent and creativity that bears the distinctive marks of the territory. The exhibition introduces 7 contemporary Hong Kong artists whose works in different media exemplify this new spirit. Together they engage the viewer to reflect on the unique cultural landscape that is Hong Kong. The artists include Chow Chunfai, Chu Hingwah, Frog King, Kevin Fung, Kum Chi-keung, Wan Qingli, and Vincent Yu. Refreshments will be served in the Friends room prior to the tour

Curator of Modern Art Eve Tam will guide us through the exhibition.

First Sight Cocktail and Viewing of Exhibition: “A Taste for China: Paris 1750-1950” from the National Museum of Asian Art – Guimet

The taste for things Chinese in 18c. Paris was owed to the move of the Versailles Court to the City of Paris, and the implications this had on artistic, intellectual and day-to-day life. Novel artistic and intellectual fashions flourished during this period, and a taste for Chinese decorative arts among the ruling classes developed concurrently. Exquisite examples of Chinoiserie art, including porcelain, a lacquered panel from the Chatelet City Hall, furniture, Chinese wallpaper, paintings with Chinese themes, maps and old photographs will be featured in this exhibition. Join us for an evening of champagne and hors d’oeuvres among these delightful decorative works.

Lecture: “Aspects of Social Life in the Han Dynasty: Iconographic and Excavated Evidence” by Prof. Ming Chiu Lai

Much is now known about the social life of the common people in the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) from relics unearthed by Chinese archaeologists in recent years. Using iconographic analysis and evidence from excavated bamboo and wooden documents, Prof. Lai, Associate Professor in the History Department at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has been engaged in the study and exploration of Chinese social history of this period.

TOURS

April/May 2008 - Tokyo architectural and culinary highlights with Alex Hui (details to be announced)

ART CALENDAR

Monday, 21 January 2008 at 6:30pm, Hong Kong Club
The Oriental Ceramic Society presents a lecture by Lina Lin, National Palace Museum, Taipei

“From Sitting on Mats to Sitting on Furniture: The Evolution of Chinese Furnishings from the Han-Tang to Five Dynasties Period”.

Wednesday, 30 January 2008 at 6:30pm, Hong Kong Club
Lecture by Prof. Jenny So, Prof. of Fine Arts and Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies at the Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong

“In Search of Northern Song Jades: Archaeological and Other Evidence”

For more details contact Tonia Ng 2527 0696