A collection of paintings by Professor Chao Shao-an, one of the most outstanding figures in contemporary Chinese art, is on show at City University of Hong Kong (CityU). 

 

Some of the 59 paintings in the “Exhibition of Chao Brothers' Collection: Chao Shao An's Art World” are being exhibited for the first time.

 

Ms Florence Hui Hiu-fai, Under Secretary for Home Affairs; Dr Louis Ng Chi-wa, Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department; Ms Fione Lo Sau-lai, Director of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum; Ms Eve Tam Mei-yee, Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art; Mr Chiu Chi-kon and Mr Chiu Chi-tai, sons of Professor Chao; and Mr Young Kin-fat, President of To-day’s Chinese Art Association and a well-known Lingnan painter, officiated at the opening ceremony on 2 March. Lingnan is a school of painting from southern China.

 

Other officiating guests included Professor Way Kuo, CityU President, Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing, Vice-President (Student Affairs), and Dr Wong Chi-tim, Director of Student Development Services. Mr Young Kin-fat and Mr Zhou Yue, Professor Chao’s grandson, gave a painting demonstration at the ceremony.

 

As this is a rare opportunity to appreciate some of the finest works of Professor Chao and to promote the unique culture of Lingnan paintings, the University has recruited and trained CityU students to serve as docents for visitors to the exhibition. In addition, secondary school students will be invited to visit the exhibition which will allow them to gain more exposure to Chinese culture.

 

As a renowned Lingnan painter, Professor Chao was adept at painting flowers, birds, insects, fish, animals, human figures and landscapes. He attained an impressive international reputation, in particular for his unparalleled talent for flower-and-bird paintings. He was born in 1905 in Guangzhou and died in Hong Kong in 1998.

 

He studied under Gao Qifeng, a master Lingnan painter, and, influenced by another such master, Gao Jianfu, and his ideas of the "Modernisation of Chinese Painting", Professor Chao combined traditional painting techniques with careful observations of nature.

 

He travelled to Europe, the US and Southeast Asia where he was invited to hold exhibitions and give talks and art demonstrations, and he made significant contributions to the promotion of Chinese painting and to the consolidation of the prestigious status of the Lingnan School of painting.

 

Planned by the Office of the Vice-President (Student Affairs) and Cultural and Sports Committee, the exhibition is being held at the Singing Waves Gallery, 6/F, Amenities Building, CityU, from 3 to 31 March, 10am to 7pm daily.