Talk: Post 97 Hong Kong Ink Art

Talk: 8 July (Saturday) 3-5pm

Tang Hoi-chiu (Adjunct Professor, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University), Daphne King (Gallery Director), Wucius Wong and Cheuk Ka-wai Cherie, artists

Moderator: Eric Leung

Exhibition catalogue available

After 1997, Hong Kong has gone even further in the development of ink art. Influenced by native consciousness and commercial factors, a new era of contemporary ink art with distinct features has unfolded. As contemporary art focuses more on concept and innovation; new generations are utilizing various Medias, technology and life material in application, so the possibilities of ink art has become infinite. Moreover, Hong Kong ink art is gradually detaching itself from the traditional literati style that is seeped with Confucius, Taoist and Buddhist spiritualism, instead it is infusing more elements of urban life and modern social community, thus creating a unique local artistic language.

Curator Eric Leung states that young artists trained by art institutes not only have the traditional ink painting techniques, but also the ability of conceptual expressions. Influenced by comics and digital culture, they create outstanding works hugely favoured by collectors. With distinct differences from the pre-1997 work which borrowed the Western aesthetic style in expressing Eastern ideas, these post-1997 college new bloods whimsically convey their contemporary notion in a classical style.

Daphne King, Director of Alisan Fine Arts joined her mother, Alice King founder of the gallery in 1996, and has been able to experience first hand the changes in contemporary ink art since the handover. She observes, that although the market once slowed down due to the post-1997 financial crisis and migration issues, auction houses are now aggressively promoting contemporary ink art. The status of new ink predecessors such as Lui Shou-kwan is well established and the prices of his works have achieved new heights. The current ink art scene in Hong Kong is blooming and is adhering to the spirit of exploration like the Chinese idiom says “to have the desire to see a thousand miles” while pushing us to “reach new heights.”

The exhibiting artists include Fang Zhaoling and TC Lai, who took reference from Western painting style; Lui Shou-kwan and Wucius Wong, pioneers of New Ink Painting Movement; Man Fung-yi and Kum Chi-keung, who demonstrate new media appropriation; Cheuk Ka-wai, Cherie, Ho Kwun-ting, Hui Hoi-kiu and Zhang Xiaoli, college representatives of neo-classical ink art with a fresh touch. Their ink works contain a blend of subtle and delicate oriental charm as well as the power of captivating occidental visualization, often expressed in an introspective stance or jocular criticism, composing the scene of post-1997 Hong Kong contemporary ink art.