HKMoA to stage first exhibition of Chinese art master Wu Guanzhong in Korea (with photos)
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The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and jointly organised by the SAC and the HKMoA. The exhibition is made possible by the Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship. This exhibition in Seoul is a continuation of the popular thematic exhibition of Wu, held at the HKMoA from March 2024 to March 2025, which achieved great success and attracted more than 570 000 visitors during the exhibition period. Accompanied by insightful excerpts from the artist's writings, the exhibition allows visitors to explore the art master's distinctive chromatic aesthetics as well as the countless passions and flights of imagination evoked from the interplay between black and white. There will be opportunities to appreciate iconic paintings such as "Two Swallows", "Reminiscences of Jiangnan", "Waterway" and more.
Wu's works perfectly fuse Eastern and Western aesthetics. He dedicated his entire life to exploring the integration of Chinese and Western art, studied traditional Chinese ink painting and also ventured into the colourful world of oil painting in his early years. After studying in France, he returned to China. His works are noted for his masterful integration of the emotional depth of traditional Chinese ink painting with Western modernist and abstract composition. In 1992, Wu was among the first living Chinese artists to be honoured with a solo exhibition at the British Museum, and his works are also widely exhibited in Asia, Europe and the United States.
Wu had deep connections with Hong Kong, and held multiple exhibitions and participated in various art events in the city. Over the years, Wu and his family have continuously made donations of Wu's works and archives to the HKMoA, making up a substantial collection of over 450 items. The HKMoA has become the institution with the largest and most diverse collection of Wu's works. With the support of the Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship, the HKMoA is bringing the museum collection and the research and curatorial insights of the art of Wu overseas, and will continue to promote Wu and modern Chinese art to audiences in different regions and at various levels through comprehensive and diversified perspectives.
In addition, an immersive installation from the "Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship Cross-disciplinary Series: Wu Guanzhong x Chris Cheung" will also be on display overseas for the first time, complementing the exhibition. Processed by AI, "Sentient Pond - Seoul Edition" created by Hong Kong artist Chris Cheung generates exclusive paintings by visitors that embody Wu's brushstrokes and artistic style through machine learning over hundreds of Wu's paintings from the museum collection, to carry on the unconventional creations and spirit of Wu with a contemporary twist.
Hong Kong Week is an annual arts festival organised by the LCSD, celebrating Hong Kong's creative excellence worldwide and fostering cultural exchanges and artistic collaboration. This year, the festival will arrive in Seoul for the first time. Beginning on September 26, a total of 14 programmes will feature stage performances, film screenings, outdoor shows, visual art exhibitions, comic creations, fashion designs as well as other fringe activities.
For details of the exhibition and HK Week@Seoul, please visit the HKMoA's website at hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/overseas-wgz-bnw.html, and the Hong Kong Week website at www.hongkongweek.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, July 24, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:25
Issued at HKT 19:25
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