Medical and Art Sharing #2: Dr. Edwin Yu on Traditional Chinese Medicine with Zhang Yanzi’s Ancient Prescription “Six Flavour Rehmanni”

Essence Talk Series – Medical and Art Sharing

While medicine cures the body, art heals the soul.

Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences and Galerie Ora-Ora are excited to present Essence Talk Series – Medical and Art Sharing during the month of August.  In the four upcoming talks, medical professionals will explore various medical- and health-related topics, which closely relate to Zhang Yanzi’s exhibition at the Museum.

Essence is a rare crossover exhibition that interweaves modern and ancient medicine with contemporary art.  Having spent a summer at the Museum as an artist-in-residence, Zhang was deeply touched by the strife, rigor, breakthroughs and passion behind the medical history of Hong Kong.  As a result, Essence presents a new body of artwork, which not only blends art and medicine on both visual and philosophical levels, but also demonstrates the artist’s perspective on the journey of life, from birth to decay, through pain and remedy.

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Date: August 18^th, 2016 (Thursday)

Time: 7-8 pm

Location: Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, 2 Caine Lane, Mid Levels, Hong Kong

RSVP: [email protected]

Chinese Medicine is an essential part of Chinese Culture.  Based on a tradition of over two thousand years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy and incorporates the theory of Yin and Yang and the “Five Elements”.  As TCM becomes more prevalent in the East and the West, the second talk within the series discusses the history and mystery behind the ancient practices of Chinese Medicine while exploring Zhang Yanzi’s Ancient Prescription Series, particularly the artwork “Six Flavour Rehmanni”.

Zhang’s Ancient Prescription Series is a result of the artist’s curiosity and fascination with the healing practices of herbal medicine.  Visitors to the museum have felt this fascination in turning the pages of these exquisitely illustrated albums, sharing the medical wisdom of ancient times. The albums show the artist’s technical accomplishments through her calligraphy and depiction of herbs and flowers, and the infusion of each page with the herbs themselves underlines the varied application of these wonders of nature. Utilizing her research and findings from various medical doctrines, including the Compendium of Materia Medica, a Chinese medical work originating from the Ming dynasty, Zhang’s unique interpretation of these ancient prescriptions as an heirloom passed down from generation to generation, is also a reflection of the artist’s diverse attitude towards Chinese medicine, as she explores not only its medical use but also the theme of psychological comfort.

HKMMS and Galerie Ora-Ora are delighted to invite Dr. Edwin Yu (President of Hong Kong Association for Integration of Chinese-Western Medicine) to be our speaker this evening and share with audiences his rich knowledge of ancient Chinese Medicine practices, as well as the “essence” of TCM.