The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (December 27) visited the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) in Tsim Sha Tsui, which had undergone a facelift and was reopened to the public at the end of last month. Mrs Lam reviewed the architectural features and new facilities.

     Having been closed since August 2015 for a major expansion and renovation, the HKMoA reopened on November 30. Adopting a modern architectural design, the Architectural Services Department has introduced a number of new features to the HKMoA. Together with the enhanced connection between the Art Square in Salisbury Garden and the outdoor Art Corridor, the museum is a prominent attraction on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. After expansion, the total exhibition area has increased by about 40 per cent and the number of galleries has increased from seven to 12, including a two-storey gallery allowing the display of large-sized artworks.

     Mrs Lam toured four of the 11 current exhibitions, namely "Ordinary to Extraordinary: Stories of the Museum", "From Dung Basket to Dining Cart: 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Wu Guanzhong" and "A Pleasure Shared: Selected Works from the Chih Lo Lou Collection", which showcase the cultural legacy, and "Classics Remix: The Hong Kong Viewpoint", displaying Hong Kong's art lineage.

     Mrs Lam said that she was particularly impressed by the exhibitions of the works of Mr Wu Guanzhong and the Chih Lo Lou collection, as the two donation ceremonies of the art treasures were hosted by her at Government House last year. She was very pleased to see the official establishment of a presence for these world-class art collections in the HKMoA in a long-term exhibition for appreciation by local and overseas visitors. Mrs Lam said she was also pleased to know that the donors of the art works, family members of Mr Wu and Mr Ho Iu-kwong, had visited the exhibitions and were satisfied with the arrangements.

     Looking forward to the commissioning of the M+ Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District, Mrs Lam said that the two world-class museums and the HKMoA will stand as unique landmarks for culture, arts and tourism on the Victoria Harbour waterfront, thus raising the level of Hong Kong's art and culture to a higher level.

Ends/Friday, December 27, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:42

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