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"Porcelain and Painting" exhibition showcases close friendship of Chao Shao-an and Yang Shanshen (with photos)
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     An exhibition entitled "Porcelain and Painting" opened today (February 9) at the Chao Shao-an Gallery of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. The exhibition features joint works on paper and porcelain by two masters of the Lingnan school of painting, Chao Shao-an and Yang Shanshen. These works provide valuable evidence of their friendship and artistic dialogue as well as the relationship between the Lingnan school and the Guangcai ceramic industry in Hong Kong.

     Chao Shao-an (1905-1998) and Yang Shanshen (1913-2004) were close friends. Both Chao and Yang settled in Hong Kong in the late 1940s, and thereafter often met in the Lingnan Art Studio. They also spent leisure time together and created joint paintings. After making friends with the owner of Yuet Tung China Works, Mr Tso Wing-shui, they took up painting on porcelain, using their unique artistic style.

     The exhibition features more than 40 joint works on paper from the 1950s and paintings on porcelain done at Yuet Tung China Works from the 1960s to the 1980s. The joint works on porcelain, such as "Insect in Moonlight", "Cicada and Bamboo" and "Bamboo and Insect", serve as expressions of their exploration of a new medium. Yang usually depicted the foliage in outlines, while Chao added the insects and inscriptions. Yang also made gifts of his works to Chao and his wife, for example "Rooster", "Fish", "Prawn" and "Two Goldfishes". These works are evidence of the enjoyable times and friendly gatherings they had.

     Yuet Tung China Works was established in Hong Kong in the 1920s. In the 1950s, the second generation owner of the factory, Mr Tso Wing-shui, took over management of the Works, and made friends with Chao and Yang. The duo often visited the Works to paint on porcelain. Yang also took his students to the factory to give them demonstrations every two years or so. The experiments they did with this medium opened up new possibilities for artistic creation. They also created a new page in perpetuating the connection between ceramics and Lingnan painting.

     The exhibition will run until November 19. Admission is free.

     The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. For details of the exhibition, please visit the museum's website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid250.html or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.
 
Ends/Friday, February 9, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Photo

The "Porcelain and Painting" exhibition opened today (February 9) at the Chao Shao-an Gallery of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Photo shows a dish of enamels on porcelain, "The Scent of Peony" painted by Chao Shao-an. (Collection of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.)
The "Porcelain and Painting" exhibition opened today (February 9) at the Chao Shao-an Gallery of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Photo shows a dish of enamels on porcelain, "Pomegranate" painted by Chao Shao-an. (Collection of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.)
The "Porcelain and Painting" exhibition opened today (February 9) at the Chao Shao-an Gallery of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Photo shows a brush pot of enamels on porcelain, "Red Dragonflies" painted by Chao Shao-an (right) (from the collection of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum), and a brush pot of enamels on porcelain, "Fish" painted by Yang Shanshen (left) (from a private collection).
The "Porcelain and Painting" exhibition opened today (February 9) at the Chao Shao-an Gallery of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Photo shows joint works on paper by Chao Shao-an and Yang Shanshen, "Cat and Butterfly" (right) and "Rose and Bird" (left). (Private collection.)