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"Legend of Hong Kong Ceramics", which brings together two exhibitions, artists' studio visits and demonstrations, was opened today (December 16) at Tsuen Wan Town Hall. It is a partnership project of the Art Promotion Office (APO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Hong Kong Ceramics Society and Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency Limited (SHK) to enhance public appreciation of ceramic art and share the joy of this art.
Earth is an amazing material given by Nature. It can be used for growing plants, supplying nutrients to vegetation as it sustains the world's ecological balance. It can also be used as a building material to construct dwellings for human habitation. Mankind as early as the Neolithic era had already learnt to make simple eating utensils with clay. As time passed and pottery-making techniques improved, pottery craft of great variety evolved. The use of different kinds of clays, different glazing ingredients, different types of kiln and firing methods combining with the style and techniques of individual pottery artists have created a great variety of artworks.
Ceramic art is one of the well-developed art forms in Hong Kong. In the 1990s, the then newly established Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre provided ceramic studios and kiln firing facilities for ceramic artists, while the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (the former Hong Kong Polytechnic) had organised five certificate courses in studio ceramics since 1981. Devoting themselves to ceramics, most graduate students of the course pursued further studies in ceramic art at other universities or in the studios of famous masters overseas. The Hong Kong Ceramics Society was founded by the tutors and students of this course in 1996, and most of its members are now well-known ceramists in Hong Kong and overseas.
Two exhibitions will be held under the "Legend of Hong Kong Ceramics". One named "Legend of Hong Kong Ceramics" at Tsuen Wan Town Hall will be held from today until December 27. It features artworks by 23 local and overseas ceramists, displaying their recent creations and their lasting passion for ceramics. With the support of SHK, another exhibition titled "Legend of Hong Kong Ceramics: Dining Rhapsody @ Tsuen Wan Plaza" has been opened since November 26 and will run until January 1 at the 3rd and 4th floor of Tsuen Wan Plaza. The 11 participating ceramists have displayed their artworks on the theme of "Dining Rhapsody", showing the integration of ceramic art and daily life.
Free guided tours will be offered to the public and school groups. For bookings, contact the APO's Community Art Team on 3101 2712 or 3101 2713.
Tsuen Wan Town Hall is at 72 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan. It is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Tsuen Wan Plaza is located at 4-30 Tai Pa Street, Tsuen Wan. Its exhibition area opens daily from 10am to 10pm. Admission is free.
For details, visit the APO's website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Apo/ .
Ends/Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:30
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