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The Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will present a golden jubilee special exhibition Artistic Confluence in Guangdong: Selected Painting and Calligraphy from Ming to Mid-Qing China (Collection of the Art Museum, CUHK) (Phase II: Qing Dynasty) from 27 August to 19 December 2021. The exhibition, showcasing more than 70 exhibits, sheds light on the influential poets, painters, and calligraphers, as well as the culture of art collecting and gathering in Guangdong during the Qing dynasty.

Located in southern China, Lingnan was almost the first point of contact for China with new knowledge and ideas from world civilisations, including religion, ideology, culture, medicine, commerce, and trade. With the vibrant development of culture and philosophy whenever new and influential religions or ideas were introduced, Lingnan had nurtured influential thinkers who had palpable impact on China.

Artworks of renowned artists such as Li Jian, Xie Lansheng, Su Liupeng, and Su Renshan are featured in the exhibition. Dr. Peggy Ho, Research Associate of the Art Museum, illustrates their stories and influences in the exhibition catalogue with her in-depth research. Following, deviating and rethinking tradition, Lingnan artists were true to themselves in their works of art. This is one of the distinctive aesthetic qualities found in Guangdong painting and calligraphy.

Apart from a significant growing number of talented Guangdong artists, more and more collectors appeared during the Qing dynasty. In the golden years of Guangdong’s culture and economy from 1686 to 1842, arts, collecting, and patronage were closely intertwined. Ye Menglong’s Fengman Lou, Wu Rongguang’s Yunqing Guan and Pan Shicheng’s Haishan Xianguan were representatives of Guangdong painting and calligraphy collections during the time, supporting the development of culture, education, and arts in Guangdong. Their treasures have been well preserved and will be displayed in the Art Museum’s exhibition.

Not only does the museum present an exhibition full of Guangdong culture, it also collaborates with The Gong Strikes One, a performing arts group specialising in Chinese traditional theatre music. They together create Cantonese narrative songs, chanting the stories in the century of Guangdong arts and culture. These music videos will be released in late September on the Art Museum’s website and social media platforms. Moreover, experts invited by the Art Museum will give online talks on Guangdong paintings, calligraphy and culture from September to November. Stay tuned to the museum’s website and social media platforms for more updates and online learning resources.

Online learning resources and activities:
http://www.artmuseum.cuhk.edu.hk/en/training/current/
http://www.artmuseum.cuhk.edu.hk/en/training/resource/

Exhibition catalogue: http://www.artmuseum.cuhk.edu.hk/en/bookstore/overview/detail/201

Details of the exhibition

Artistic Confluence in Guangdong: Selected Painting and Calligraphy from Ming to Mid-Qing China (Collection of the Art Museum, CUHK) (Phase II: Qing Dynasty)

Visiting details of the Art Museum

Open to the public. Free admission. For the opening hours and other details, please visit the museum’s website: http://www.artmuseum.cuhk.edu.hk/en/visit/opening/

Enquiries: 3943-7416

About the Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Founded in 1971, the Art Museum, CUHK serves the University community and public in Hong Kong by collecting, preserving, researching and exhibiting a wide range of artifacts illuminating the rich arts, humanities, and cultural heritage of ancient and pre-modern China. The Art Museum promotes the excellence of both its permanent collections and loan collections of Chinese art, and their use for scholarly endeavours and outreach efforts. As a university teaching museum, it offers in-depth practice of museology and archaeology as well as the teaching of art history through direct and sustained access to original Chinese works of art in collaboration with the Department of Fine Arts. With the support of different faculties, it advocates interdisciplinary approaches to the social, cultural, technological, and historical context of Chinese art. Adhering to the purpose of the University, the Museum is committed to promoting Chinese culture and academic exchanges as well as contributing to society.

For posters and photos of the exhibitions, please scan the below QR code or download at: https://bit.ly/3z3AwHj