11 October 2018
Arts at HSMC proudly presents South Country in Days of Yore—Paintings and Calligraphy by Zhang Xiaoyou. The exhibition is sponsored by HSMC’s Sin Wai Kin Chinese Culture Promotion Scheme, curated and organised in association with B Action Company Limited, and supported by Education Connect Limited. The opening ceremony held on 11 Oct 2018 (Thu) was officiated by Mr Chan Shing Wai, Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums), Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD); Dr Sin Wai Kin; President Simon S M Ho and Adjunct Professor and artist Zhang Xiaoyou.
The exhibition showcases 39 art pieces by Professor Zhang, namely ruler paintings, freehand paintings, Dunhuang paintings and calligraphy. A virtual reality (VR) setup featuring the masterpiece South Country in Days of Yore is there to bring to viewers an immersive experience back to the Jiangnan region in the Late Qing Dynasty.
“Arts at HSMC brings programmes of various art forms on campus to our staff, students and the community. They contribute to HSMC’s unique ‘Liberal + Professional’ education model and our students’ all-round development. I am amazed by Professor Zhang’s ruler paintings. The compositions are seamlessly accurate and aesthetically constructed, bringing scenes of the ancient township to life. We hope to promote traditional Chinese culture and art to the youth and the wider public, as well as to revitalise the legacy of the lost genre of ruler paintings,” President Ho addressed the audience.
“I am glad to be invited to join you at the opening of Professor Zhang’s exhibition,” Mr Chan from the LCSD said. “Apart from ambience and vitality, traditional Chinese paintings are also characterised by the expression of inner attributes through forms, which are utterly portraited in Professor Zhang’s thematic exhibit South Country in Days of Yore. There are, moreover, a collection of precious ruler paintings depicting magnificent ancient township with great precision. These enable spectators to enter into Professor Zhang’s world of artistical reminiscences.”
Professor Zhang expressed, “The exhibits are a fine selection from my creations over decades. They are revival of the lost genre of ruler paintings through my intensive research incorporating scientific painting skills. I hope you will enjoy viewing them.”
Right after the opening ceremony, Professor Zhang conducted a seminar on “Ruler Painting: The Culture and Continuity of Ancient Painting Genres”, followed by calligraphy demonstration.
(From left) Curator, HSMC College Council Member and Founder of B Action Company Limited, Mr Dannie Cheung; President Simon Ho; Mrs Zhang Xiaoyou; Professor Zhang Xiaoyou; LCSD Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) Mr Chan Shing Wai; Dr Sin Wai Kin; Mrs Sin Wai Kin; Mr Benedict Sin; and Provost Gilbert Fong
Professor Zhang at the live calligraphy demonstration
Mrs Sin received Professor Zhang’s calligraphy as a gift.
Mr Cheung received Professor Zhang’s calligraphy as a gift.
Professor Zhang shared his experience in ruler paintings at the seminar.
The Exhibition opens from 12 to 23 Oct 2018 to the public free-of-charge. 39 art pieces by Professor Zhang Xiaoyou: 10 ruler paintings, 20 freehand paintings, 7 Dunhuang paintings and 2 pieces of calligraphy, are on display.
