************************************************************
The exhibition, "Lofty Integrity: Donation of Works by Wu Guanzhong", which features 50 masterpieces by Wu, has been well received by the public since its opening on March 26 at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Up to yesterday (May 5), the exhibition had attracted more than 45,000 visitors. To give the public an opportunity to appreciate this great artist's work, the exhibition period will be extended until August 29 to cover the summer holidays.
The Chief Curator of the Museum of Art, Mr Tang Hoi-chiu, noted that Wu Guanzhong is one of the most important and innovative artists in 20th-century Chinese art for the explorations and contributions he has made by blending the essence of East and West through his oil paintings and ink paintings. On display in this exhibition are all of Wu's donations, most of which are shown here for the first time, offering a comprehensive showcase of the master's art over the years.
Highlights of the exhibition include the "Two Swallows", "Former Residence of Qiu Jin", "Memories of Home", "The Easterly Breeze Blows Open the Wisteria", "Waterway", "Reminiscence of Jiangnan", "Mending Nets", "Patchwork", "Tashilhunpo Monastery", "Cascade", "Bitter Melon Homestead", "City Night", "Victoria Harbour", "Mama (The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Characters Series)", "Day and Night", and "Leaving Youth Behind".
To tie in with the exhibition, the Museum of Art has organised a series of special lectures during the exhibition period. A lecture entitled "Impressions of the Masters: Snapshots of My Interviews with Wu Guanzhong and Other Famous Chinese Painters" on May 8 will be hosted by the artist, Mr Mok E-den. A lecture entitled "Close-up of Wu Guanzhong: Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes about the Exhibition and the Special TV Series" on July 3 will be hosted by the Curator (Xubaizhai) of the Museum of Art, Mr Szeto Yuen-kit. Admission to the lectures, conducted in Cantonese, are free on a first-come-first-served basis.
A catalogue of the exhibition produced by the Museum of Art will be available at the museum's gift shop. Two environmental bags with Wu's designs on them will be given to buyers of the catalogue.
The Museum of Art is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It opens from 10am to 6pm from Sundays to Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 10am to 8pm on Saturdays. It is closed on Thursdays (except public holidays). Admission is $10 and a half-price concession is available for full-time students, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
For enquiries, visit the Museum of Art's website, hk.art.museum or call 2721 0116.
Ends/Thursday, May 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:46
NNNN
