2014 Dec 22-28
香港現代水墨畫會年展 2014
HONG KONG MODERN INK PAINTING SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION 2014
Preface
Hong Kong Modern Ink Painting Society is an active force in the concerned field of Hong Kong for a long time. With the combination of the important components of contemporary art in Hong Kong; each and every exhibition of the Society could trigger tremendous attention of the art domain, the support and advocacy of ink painting lovers. In order to maintain such cohesion, we strive to continue seeking for opportunities and venues, hoping that the Association could hold an exhibition of comparable size every year; so as to promote Hong Kong ink movement forward, unify and fight for rights and privileges of the field. We have recruited thoughtful artists of the circles this year, and with the support and sponsor of the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department, we believe that the road will be bright and wide.
The venue for the exhibition this year was booked a year ago - 7 days at Low Block, Hong Kong City Hall (22nd-28th December, 2014). While we celebrate the accession of new members, we take this opportunity to come together and observe Humans. Our participants this time will be Leung Tung Choi, Anita Lau, Chan Kwan Lap, Yeung Kwok Fan Margaret, Nina Pryde, Shum Yuen Wah, Hong Ngan Ping Brenda, Siu Pak Keung, Chan Yin Wan, Rick Chan, Jiwye To, Kan Chi Hung, Wong Wai Keung, Yau Mui Chun, Ip Sai King, Ko Hang Kuen, Chiang Yu Ting, Yuen Kwok Kwong and I, altogether 19 members. In order to be more substantial artistic, and ensure our unify strength of inheriting the past and ushering in the future, we deliberately invited the families of our late members, Kwok Hon Sum and Ha Bik Chuen, to donate one piece of their posthumous works for the exhibition. Both of them are the honorable members of our Society, our role models. I believe, with the sincere solidarity of our congregation members, efforts to show our sincerity, personal perception, concepts and style of performance, we will leave a trail of striving in the history of art in Hong Kong.
Chan Shing Kau
Chairman of Hong Kong Modern Ink Painting Society
15th November, 2014
Translated by
Winnie Leung Yuk Yee
Hong Kong, China
Message
Profound Literati, accomplished calligraphers and painters in ancient time, often gathered to form groups, or elegant assemblies, for exchanging ideas, sharing literary thoughts and observing the artistic practices of each other with the aim to enhance their cultivations. As a result, different art schools and groups were gradually formed, leaving significant footprints and contributions to the cultural heritage of our nation. Till the twentieth century, the pronouncement on promotion, educational function and social mission of art and culture had leaded to the emergence of groups and schools in the cultural scene more active. With their artistic theories and execution, they had laid important impact in the realms of religion, education, cultural creativity, politics, as well to people and all sectors of the society.
Hong Kong rapidly developed in the sixties and seventies. Rooted in the tradition and heritage of Chinese culture, the art and cultural domain became more open, and able to absorb Western art trends and modernity. Artists, in all aspects, timelessly exploring and expanding new artistic horizons. Frequent gatherings and exchange of ideas and views had encouraged establishment of more arts groups, especially blooming in the field of ink painting, and thus opened a new chapter of Chinese painting, and at the same time shaped the unique identity of modern ink painting in Hong Kong. “The Hong Kong Modern Ink Painting Society” is one of the representative groups, which substantially developed and progressively grew.
Ink master of Taiwan, Liu Kuo Sung, arrived at Hong Kong in 1971 and taught in the Department of Art of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He advocated reform of Chinese painting, his innovation on subject matters, revolutionary theories and techniques caused great repercussions and shock in art scene. He pioneered “The Modern Ink” curriculum and “Modern Ink Diploma Courses” for years. Subsequently Liu and his students co-founded the “Hong Kong Modern Ink Painting Society” in 1977. The objective of the Society is to study, develop, and promote modern ink art and the Society respects different styles and individual pursuits of its members. The Society conducts lectures and talks, classes and workshops and organizes exhibitions from time to time. It also becomes more active in fostering the artistic and cultural exchanges in China, in particular in between Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong and Taiwan, having an indelible contribution to the development of modern Chinese ink painting.
Members of the Society do not limited to students of Liu Kuo Sung or those who have been inspired by him, but also those modern ink painters who pursue their individualistic cultivations and styles. Many members were accomplished artists who become the backbone of the Hong Kong art circle in the past thirty years. To mention some, they include Chan Shing Kau, Chan Kwan Lap, Lee Chun Yi, Leung Tung Choi, Anita Lau, Yeung Kwok Fan Margaret, Nina Pryde, Ma Kwai Shun, Lau Wai Kei, Koon Wai Bong, Kwok Hon Sum (deceased), and Ha Bik Chuen (deceased) and other artists participate in this exhibition. “Seeking divergences or excellence” is one of Liu Kuo Sung iconic norms; “seeking common ground for establishing artistic divergence” also reflect the spirit of creativity and practice of the members. Their commonality is to further explore and expand the boundary of ink and brush, the randomness, the freestyle, the paper texture and new techniques of modern ink art. Their differences are visualized in the aspects of subject matters, treatment of spaces, manipulation of ink and brushwork, and their personal artistic vocabulary and interpretations. Formulation of these creative features and spirits based on their personal experience, interest, creativity, and unique interpretation lead the expression of ink to a new horizon that go beyond its’ boundary. Not only exploring new paths in the realm of ink art, the artistic creations of the members also contributed to shape the unique face of modern ink painting on the international level. I do hope every member of “Hong Kong Modern Ink Painting Society” could timelessly encourage each other, work together and step into a higher level, so the river of modern ink could flow continuously into future. To pay homage to senior members, families of late members, Kwok Hon Sum and Ha Bik Chuen, are invited to feature one representative piece of their posthumous works for the exhibition this year. The painting technique of Kwok Hon Sum is consummate, showing his creativity in different subjects, styles and presentation. Regrettably that he died an untimely death; otherwise, he would take it up a notch. Ha Bik Chuen studied art by himself, his inspiration came from real life, his optimistic view in art and life as showed on his photographic works, prints, sculptures and also ink paintings of his later years. He lived till gray and venerable, leaving us a large number of precious photos, documentary and artworks. All these are vital to the study of art history of Hong Kong, hope it will be cherished and make good use of them by the art and cultural institutions. I would like to express my gratitude to these two masters, grateful for their contributions on the art scene, and also wish that members of the “Hong Kong Modern Ink Painting Society” will cherish progressively developments and creations for attaining new heights in the future.
Tang Hoi Chiu
Adjunct Professor, Academy of Visual Arts
Hong Kong Baptist University
1st December, 2014