CUHK
News Centre
Heralds of Spring: Celebrating the Year of the RoosterCUHK Exhibits Auspicious Birds Artefacts to Celebrate Lunar New Year
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2017 is the year of the Rooster. To welcome the Lunar New Year, the Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) presents the exhibition ‘Heralds of Spring: Celebrating the Year of the Rooster’ from 13 January to 5 March 2017. The works come from the collection of the CUHK Art Museum as well as local private collections on the theme of auspicious birds. Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibition. Admission is free.
The rooster often plays a part in the everyday life of human beings and has been imparted with rich symbolic meanings since ancient times. The rooster, which guards the day and crows unerringly at the break of dawn, has become a symbol of trust and punctuality. As the old saying goes, “At the rooster’s call, the world brightens.” The rooster is regarded as the messenger of light that dispels darkness.
In the ancient mythology, the phoenix was the king of birds. The phoenix, as an auspicious bird, is considered closest to the rooster, and it is sometimes even described as a surrogate of the rooster. The phoenix is believed to appear only during times of peace and prosperity; its image comes to signify a blessed land. Birds of all kinds will come together to pay homage to the phoenix on its birthday. At the advent of the Year of the Rooster, it is only fitting to celebrate it with works of art that feature auspicious birds.
Heralding the arrival of the New Year, the rooster welcomes a time for life and renewed vitality. This exhibition showcases 53 sets of artefacts, dating from the Han Dynasty to the present. In presenting these auspicious images among artistic marvels from the long history of Chinese civilization, the craftsmanship, history, and the cultural significance of the works on display are highlighted.
Details of the exhibition are as follows:
|
Exhibition Period: |
13 January to 5 March 2017 |
|
Opening Hours: |
Mondays to Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00am-5:00pm Sundays: 1:00pm-5:00pm |
|
Closed: |
Thursdays Lunar New Year Holidays (27-31 January) |
|
Exhibition Venue: |
Gallery II, Art Museum, Institute of Chinese Studies, CUHK |
|
Enquiries: |
3943-7416 |
Gao Jianfu (1879-1951) Cocks, Peonies and Rock 1902 Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper Gift of Mr. Ho Iu-kwong, Mr. Fok Bo-choi, Mr. Li De and others Accession no.: 1973.0863
Pouring vessel in the shape of mandarin ducks Ming, Hongzhi Gift of Mr. T. Y. Chao Accession no.: 1975.0027
Two pairs of cups with chicken design Daqing Yongzheng nian zhi mark Qing, Yongzheng Bequest of Mr. Ho Paak Accession no.: 1988.0087
Heralds of Spring: Celebrating the Year of the Rooster
Dr. Wang Guanyu, Research-Assistant Curator (Antiquities), Art Museum, CUHK, introduces the exhibit ‘Cocks, Peonies and Rock’ by Gao Jianfu (1879-1951).
