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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council:

The diversity of art styles in the "Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial 1998" is reflective of the recent artistic pursuit and the achievement of Hong Kong artists, the Chairman of the Provisional Urban Council's Museums Select Committee, Mr Mok Ying-fan, said today (Monday).

Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Mr Mok said, "There are works in Chinese style, works reflecting the characteristic of Hong Kong as well as works inherited from tradition yet rich in contemporary spirit, displaying the diversity of Hong Kong culture, and reflecting Hong Kong as a cosmopolitan city influenced by East and West."

"As the 12th Biennial this year, it carries an aim to promote Hong Kong art and stimulate general awareness of and interest in art in Hong Kong. It also serves to encourage more local artists to participate in artistic creation and develop their artistic talents," he said.

Mr Mok noted that the Urban Council Fine Arts Awards are granted in each Biennial and that together with the ten awards presented this year, there is a total of 97 Urban Council Fine Art Awards.

"Among the award winners, many of them have become the mainstream of Hong Kong art today," he said.

Mr Mok also announced that Mr Kum Chi-keung, Desmond, one of the Urban Council Fine Arts Award Winners of the last Biennial was selected to be one of the participants in the coming Biennale of Sydney, 1998.

"It is most encouraging to the Hong Kong art circle and I sincerely hope that local artists will continue their endeavor and achieve a great accomplishment in art," he said.

The "Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial Exhibition 1998", which is the major open art competition presented by the Provisional Urban Council, features some 100 works of art, including 10 outstanding artworks by the Urban Council Fine Arts Award Winners selected from over 1,000 entries.

The works on display comprises Chinese paintings and calligraphy, paintings, print, sculpture, ceramics and new media such as photograph and mixed media which will reflect the present-day artistic pursuit and styles of artists in Hong Kong.

The Exhibition will be open to the public at the Museum of Art's Special Exhibition Gallery from September 15 to October 11.

Admission is $10 and half-price concession is available for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. Admission on Wednesdays is free. The Museum closes on Mondays in September and on Thursdays from October 1, 1998.

End/Monday, September 14, 1998

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