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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 25) that the master of Chinese painting, Wu Guanzhong, had offered Hong Kong another generous donation of five ink paintings which would join the permanent collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. These five works were couriered to Hong Kong last night and the museum staff will put them on display from July 23 in the current exhibition "Lofty Integrity: Donation of Works by Wu Guanzhong".
Speaking at today's press conference, the Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Dr Louis Ng Chi-wa, said it was Wu's fourth donation to Hong Kong. Wu has donated 52 paintings in total to the Museum of Art including the latest donation of the five paintings.
"Although Wu's works have fetched new heights in price in the art market, his wish is to donate the best works to public museums both domestic and foreign. His generous donations show his deep affection for Hong Kong and his selfless dedication to art and his lofty sentiment," Dr Ng said.
The latest donation comprises five ink paintings, of which four are new works created in 2010, namely, "At Rest", "Illusion", "Awakening" and "Nest", while one, titled "Faces Unchanged", was created in 2001.
Now showing at the Museum of Art, the exhibition "Lofty Integrity: Donation of Works by Wu Guanzhong" that opened on March 26 features all of Wu Guanzhong's donations. Exhibits include some painting tools used by Wu for many years, such as his felt painting mat, palette and painting brushes. It is the first time that Wu has donated these special gifts to a public museum. These tools mark Wu's difficult yet productive artistic career. Apart from appreciating Wu's works, visitors will be able to experience the artist's strong passion for art.
"The exhibition has already attracted over 90,000 visitors in the three months since its opening and collected more than 600 visitors' comments. Visitors were touched by his endeavours in the pursuit of art and his tireless creative efforts. And they thank him for his donation and love for the community," Dr Ng said.
To give more visitors the opportunity to appreciate Wu's works, the exhibition period "Lofty Integrity" has been extended to August 29.
The Museum of Art is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It opens from 10am to 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday 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/Friday, June 25, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:34
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