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A wide array of Ming and Qing dynasty artefacts selected from the collection of the acclaimed local collector, Mr C P Lin, will go on display in an exhibition titled "Ming and Qing Chinese Arts from the C. P. Lin Collection" at the Hong Kong Museum of Art from tomorrow (May 3) until September 28, giving the public an opportunity to see Chinese artworks of great craftsmanship and aesthetics.
The opening ceremony for the exhibition was held today (May 2). Officiating guests included the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Raymond Young; the former Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong, Mr Tsui Lap-chee; Mr Lin; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Cynthia Liu; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Miss Eve Tam.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Young noted that Mr Lin is an esteemed figure among local art collectors.
Mr Young said that he was grateful for Mr Lin's support in the loan of 270 Ming and Qing dynasty artefacts for display in this exhibition, noting that Mr Lin's sharing of his private collection with the public helped to encourage cultural inheritance.
Mr Young said the public would also gain greater access to Chinese cultural treasures through the support of private collectors, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art would strengthen its collaboration with local art collectors, to promote Hong Kong on the international cultural stage.
The exhibition showcases precious artworks from the C. P. Lin Collection, such as exquisite porcelains, rare jades, intricately carved rhinoceros horn, ivory and bamboo objets d'art, iridescent painted copper enamel, and glassware. Some were made exclusively for the imperial court. Through the display of materials, colours, craftsmanship, forms and images of Chinese antiquities, the exhibition focuses on historical Chinese artistic pursuits and displays perfect combinations of craftsmanship and aesthetics.
Highlights of the exhibits include a pair of dishes decorated with bamboo and a poem in falangcai enamels, commissioned by Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing dynasty; a jade screen carved with scenes from the "Ode to the Red Cliff"; and a bamboo brush pot carved with the "Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove".
Post-war Hong Kong was fortunate to have become a repository for important antiques in the South China region. From 1949, prominent collectors from Mainland China moved to Hong Kong and brought with them many Chinese antiques. Mr Lin was influenced by the trend for collecting Chinese antiques in Western countries during his early years, cultivating in him a passion for collecting.
Built on the principles of "authenticity" and "pleasure" he established the C. P. Lin Collection, which comprises diverse works of art, among which the imperial porcelain is widely acclaimed.
Mr Lin said he believes that collecting art is all about "bonds between people" and "bonds between objects", and over the past few decades he has developed bonds with the Hong Kong Museum of Art. In the mid 1970s, he acquired a Yuan Guanyin item at auction in London, which created excitement among collectors at the time, and he generously lent it to the museum for public appreciation. Since then, he has provided various pieces for museum exhibitions. The Yuan Guanyin is again on loan for display in this exhibition, signifying Mr Lin's strong bonds with the museum.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It is open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Thursdays (except public holidays). Admission is $10 and a half-price concession is available to full-time students, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Group tickets at $7 each are available to groups of 20 persons or more. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
For further information, call 2721 0116 or visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts/en_US/web/ma/exhibition.html .
Ends/Friday, May 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:03
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