The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series a£á¡§ The Splendours of Royal Costume: Qing Court Attire exhibition opens

07/30/2013

The second of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series, “The Splendours of Royal Costume: Qing Court Attire” Exhibition will be available for public enjoyment from tomorrow until 7 October at the Hong Kong Museum of History. Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and The Palace Museum, the exhibition showcases the most extensive collection of Qing imperial costume ever seen outside Mainland China.

Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the exhibition was officially opened today (30 July) by Club Steward Anthony W K Chow, along with Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing, The Palace Museum Director Dr Shan Jixiang, History Museum Advisory Panel Chairman Dr Philip Wu, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Betty Fung and Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History Susanna Siu as the officiating guests.

Mr Chow shared with the guests that the Qing Court Attire exhibition was the second to be staged this year under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series.  “The Trust’s donation adds further meaning to the exhibition with various education and outreach programmes, as we realise the importance of exposing the younger generations to these works of art so that they can be inspired by them.”

On show at the exhibition are about 130 items/sets of textiles and embroideries from The Palace Museum Collection – about 30 per cent of which are being displayed for the first time.  The exhibition is complemented by large-scale multimedia programmes featuring emperors’ costumes for different occasions, as well as workshops, a fashion design competition and guided tours which provide the visiting public with a comprehensive understanding of the Qing court attire.  In addition, the Jockey Club Arts Accessibility Service Centre and the Hong Kong Museum of History will organise accessibility services including interactive activities, tailor-made guided tours and sign interpretation for the disabled, allowing them to enjoy the exhibition in a barrier-free environment.

Apart from supporting this exhibition, covering its education and outreach programmes as well as a transportation subsidy scheme, the Trust’s donation to LCSD this year has also included the Andy Warhol Art Appreciation Programme and the Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia exhibition which ended in March and May respectively.

The Club has long been committed to the development of arts and culture in the city.  Over the past decade, donations through its Charities Trust to arts and culture development have totalled HK$1.84 billion.  The Club has also helped bring a number of hugely popular exhibitions to the public in recent years.  The most prominent are River of Wisdom - Animated Version of the Riverside Scene at Qing Ming Festival, PICASSO – Masterpieces from Musi?¢Xe National Picasso Paris, A Lofty Retreat from the Red Dust: The Secret Garden of Emperor Qianlong, as well as The Majesty of All Under Heaven: The Eternal Realm of China’s First Emperor which broke the attendance record for a thematic exhibition held at the Hong Kong Museum of History.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.