***********************************************************
Hong Kong's vibrant arts and film culture is being celebrated in the UK over the next few months, with an art exhibition in Manchester and a film festival highlighting Hong Kong's female film directors in major cities around the country.
Supported by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in London, the Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester, is holding a four-month exhibition by five young Hong Kong artists: Kwan Sheung Chi, Lee Kit, Luke Ching, Pak Sheung Chuen and Wong Wai Yin. "One Degree of Separation" is an exhibition that explores the role that social connections and artistic interconnections play in the practice of a group of artists from Hong Kong, focusing not just on individual works of art but subtly drawing attention to manifold interconnections between the artists and their work.
Speaking at a preview of the exhibition on October 8, Miss Sarah Wu, Director General of HKETO London, said: "These Hong Kong-based artists are rapidly making a name for themselves in Hong Kong and internationally and are great examples of the vibrancy of Hong Kong's creative community. It is always a pleasure to see Hong Kong artists being given the opportunity to show what they can do."
Also in Manchester, and with support from the HKETO, the Cornerhouse arts centre launched "Visible Secrets: Hong Kong's Women Filmmakers," a film festival celebrating the imagination and creativity of Hong Kong's female film directors and their work through an exciting programme of screenings, events and special guests. "Visible Secrets" presents a selection of UK premieres, showcasing the contemporary films of Ann Hui - one of which, "Visible Secrets", gave the title to the festival - and introducing new directors including Yan Yan Mak, Barbara Wong, Aubrey Lam and Tsang Tsui Shan.
The opening gala on October 9 featured a screening of Angie Chen's "This Darling Life" (2008), a documentary exploring the relationship between dogs and their owners. After the screening, Ms Chen had half an hour's discussion on her film, giving audiences a chance to learn more about this very personal film - her first in over two decades.
Miss Wu praised Cornerhouse for organising this series at the opening screening. "This series with over 20 films made by female directors from Hong Kong since 2000 is the first of its kind to be presented. It is exciting to see the series on tour to Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, Leicester, London, Sheffield and Edinburgh. Ivy Ho, who directed 'Claustrophia' will come for a gala screening at Curzon Mayfair London on November 2 and at Cornerhouse, Manchester, on November 3".
More information on both events can be found at www.chinese-arts-centre.org and www.cornerhouse.org/visiblesecrets.
In addition, five Hong Kong artists' works are being debuted at the Rossi & Rossi Gallery in London. "Urban Spirituality: Contemporary Hong Kong Art" features work by Bovey Lee, Joey Leung, Angela Su, Halley Cheng and Wilson Shieh.
"Hong Kong is becoming a city of art and creative industry. It is important for our artists, musicians and film directors to introduce their works to audience overseas," said Miss Wu.
Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:30
NNNN
