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Masterpieces by 17 Hong Kong artists will be featured in the "Sculpting Space - Hong Kong Public Art Design" exhibition as part of the 2012 Hong Kong and Macao Visual Arts Biennial scheduled for September 11 to 19 at the World Art Museum in the China Millennium Monument, Beijing.
The exhibition is presented by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China in collaboration with the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), curated by the Art Promotion Office and the Hong Kong Sculpture Society, executed by the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the China International Exhibition Agency, and supported by the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing and the CAFA Art Museum.
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony today (September 10) included the Vice Minister of Culture, Mr Li Hongfeng; the Deputy Director General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Culture, Mr Xie Jinying; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services of the HKSAR Government, Mrs Betty Fung; the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Yao Jingming; the Director of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing, Ms Cathy Chu; Representative of the Director of the Office of the Government of the Macao SAR in Beijing Ms Chan Mingchun; and the Director of the China Arts and Entertainment Group, Mr Zhang Yu.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Fung said, "The Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China has organised the Visual Arts Biennial since 2008. While the Visual Arts Biennial celebrates its third edition this year, we are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. With a rich programme of commemorative activities presented by the HKSAR Government, the 2012 Hong Kong and Macao Visual Arts Biennial duly conveys our jubilation and excitement to Beijing."
She said, "To participate in the Visual Arts Biennial, the Art Promotion Office of the LCSD has collaborated with the Hong Kong Sculpture Society in presenting "Sculpting Space - Hong Kong Public Art Design" to display the outstanding works of 17 renowned artists. Artworks by these artists demonstrate a great diversity in style and characteristics, epitomising a crossover of Chinese and Western cultures, a kaleidoscope of city vibrancy and richness in creativity."
Those joining the exhibition are anothermountainman (Stanley Wong), Chan Kwok-man, Chu Tat-shing, Fung Lik-yan, Ho Man-chung, Ho Siu-kee, Kum Chi-keung, Lai Yat-fong, Lam Ke-kee, Lam Yuk-lin, Freeman Lau, Lau Yau-kuen, Lee Chin-fai, Lee Fook-wah, Man Fung-yi, Mok Yat-sun, and Tsang Cheung-shing.
Mrs Fung said, "In recent years, the Mainland and global art circle has attached greater importance to the development of contemporary art in Hong Kong. As such, the LCSD has proactively presented the creative works of local artists to the Mainland and other world regions as well as strengthened international cultural linkage."
According to Mrs Fung, during World Expo 2010 Shanghai China the Hong Kong Museum of Art presented two visual art exhibitions, "Legacy and Creations: Ink Art vs Ink Art" and "Legacy and Creations: Art vs Art", in Shanghai. In addition, "Legacy and Creations: Ink Art vs Ink Art" was later presented as a highlight of the 7th International Ink Painting Biennale of Shenzhen. This year, Hong Kong was invited for the first time to take part in the 7th Liverpool Biennial commencing on September 15 in the UK. As part of the "City States" programme, an exhibition entitled "All are Guests" will be presented to feature contemporary visual art pieces by Hong Kong artists in response to the theme of the Liverpool Biennial.
In her concluding remarks, Mrs Fung expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Culture for the encouragement it has given to the HKSAR, and her gratitude to the Hong Kong Sculpture Society, the China Arts and Entertainment Group, the China International Exhibition Agency, the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing and the CAFA Art Museum for their support in the exhibition. She also took the opportunity to thank local artists for attending the opening ceremony as well as the seminar to be held at the CAFA Art Museum on the following day.
Ends/Monday, September 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:03
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