Jockey Club supports Yoshitomo Naraa£á?s first major solo exhibition in HK

03/05/2015

As one of the world’s most celebrated Japanese contemporary artists spearheading the country’s influential Neo Pop art since the 1990s, Yoshitomo Nara is holding his first major solo exhibition in Hong Kong over the next five months. Funded exclusively by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the exhibition, entitled Life is Only One: Yoshitomo Nara, will go on display at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre (ASHK) in Admiralty from 6 March until 26 July.

Today (5 March), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung joined Asia Society Co-chair and ASHK Chairman Ronnie Chan, Executive Director Alice Mong, Yoshitomo Nara and curator Nanjo Fumio to officiate at the opening ceremony at ASHK.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Cheung said the Trust was delighted to be the exclusive sponsor of the exhibition. “In supporting such unique exhibitions, the Club always aims to attract visitors of all ages and backgrounds by providing educational programmes that foster their understanding and appreciation of art. Hence, the Trust’s donation covers a wide range of programmes. “  he noted.

To enhance the public’s appreciation, the Trust’s HK$4.2 million donation covers a six-month Art Education Programme, offering free public lectures by Yoshitomo Nara and fellow expert, as well as Illustration Master Classes by well-known local illustrators and customised docent tours for the general public, families and people with visual impairment. In addition, the public may create their own artworks at a drop-in studio set up every last Sunday of the month at ASHK, following the “Sunday with Nara” workshops, and take part in an art competition.

The 20-week exhibition title comes from one of Nara’s paintings: Life is Only One! presenting 35 of Nara’s most evocative works in the past two decades – together with 20 new creations and some recent puppy sculptures created specifically for this show.  Through a wide selection of paintings, sketches, photographs and mixed media installations, the exhibition is an interesting journey into Nara’s open-ended interpretation of life. For details, please visit: http://nara.asiasociety.org.hk/

As a staunch supporter of heritage preservation and arts development in Hong Kong, the Club funded the restoration of the Class 1 historical structures at the former military explosives magazine into the ASHK’s dynamic showcase of arts and cultural education, known as The Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine. Other major sponsorships include the annual HK Arts Festival and Le French May, while the latest donation to the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups covers an installation art exhibition and education programmes themed around Master Xu Beihong’s Galloping Horse, entitled Ten Thousand Galloping Horses United with One Heart, which will take place next month.
 
The Hong Kong Jockey Club 
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.