Having studied painting with leading Chinese artists Qian Songyan, Zhao Shaoang and Zhang Daqian, and coupled this with the contrasting influence of a Western-style education, distinguished female artist Dr Fang Zhaoling developed her own distinctive style with contemporary elements that helped Chinese painting speak to the modern world. From tomorrow until 31 December, Hong Kong people will have a chance to see and learn more about Dr Fang's groundbreaking work at a free exhibition entitled The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: “Painting Her Ways: The Ink Art of Fang Zhaoling” , the first solo exhibition since her passing in 2006. Funded exclusively by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, it will be staged at the Asia Society Hong Kong (ASHK) Center in Admiralty.
The Club’s funding also covers the The Jockey Club Art Education and Female Empowerment Series, allowing participants to understand the path of Dr Fang’s artistic development as a female role model of her era, and the endeavours of other women in art and different fields.
Today (26 September), Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip was joined at the opening ceremony by Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam, Co-Chair of Asia Society and Chairman of ASHK Center Ronnie Chan and Executive Director Alice Mong, and Fang Zhaoling Foundation Chairman Dr David Fang.
Dr Ip noted that Arts, Culture and Heritage was one of four strategic focus areas of the Club’s Charities Trust donations. In addition to supporting arts venues and events, and nurturing talent through scholarships, the Club wanted to help broaden the base for the arts, promote a diversity of art forms and create more opportunities for people to participate in the arts at every level of the community and in every part of Hong Kong.
“Our support for this exhibition exemplifies this approach – sharing the work of Dr Fang in an exhibition which is free and open to all,” he observed. “In addition, we will be providing transport subsidies for underprivileged families, while The Jockey Club Art Education and Female Empowerment Series, running alongside the exhibition, includes free public lectures, dialogue sessions, movie screenings and more.”
Dr Fan played an important role in the 20th century Chinese art scene. The exhibition will feature a selection of over 60 ink paintings, calligraphy artworks and seals from the Fang family collection, Hong Kong Museum of Art, University Museum and Gallery of The University of Hong Kong and the University of Oregon, helping to enrich the public’s understanding of modern Chinese art. Some of the works are on display for the first time. Over 25,000 people are expected to attend.
Dr Fan’s life was not smooth, but she demonstrated great personal resiliency and perseverance in pursuing art amid many challenges. The Jockey Club Art Education and Female Empowerment Series will give participants the chance to understand more about her artistic journey and the stories behind other female role models.
The programme will include a series of public lectures related to Chinese female artists in the contemporary art world and the role of women in historic events. Some outstanding local female achievers from different fields will be invited for in-depth exchanges with upper secondary and tertiary students.
Empowerment programmes will also be organised for girls from underprivileged families and single-parent households, helping them build self-confidence and discover their potential through activities such as communication skills enhancement and teamwork exercises.
The Club has long been a staunch supporter of the city’s arts, culture and heritage. The Central Police Station Revitalisation Project is one of its notable current initiatives. The Asia Society Hong Kong Center, where the Fang Zhaoling exhibition is being held, itself occupies a Class 1 historical structure whose restoration was funded by the Trust, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine. The Trust also recently supported the well-received Life is Only One: Yoshitomo Nara exhibition staged there.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2016/17, the Club’s total direct return to the community was HK$30.5 billion. It is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, one of the city’s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.
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Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (3rd right) is joined at the opening ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: a£á?Painting Her Ways: The Ink Art of Fang Zhaolinga£á? Exhibition by Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam (4th left), Co-Chair of Asia Society and Chairman of ASHK Center Ronnie Chan (3rd left) and Executive Director Alice Mong (2nd left), Fang Zhaoling Foundation Chairman Dr David Fang (2nd right), guest curators Professor Julia Andrews (1st left) and Professor Kuiyi Shen (1st right).
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Guests tour the The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: a£á?Painting Her Ways: The Ink Art of Fang Zhaolinga£á? Exhibition.
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Some of the exhibits from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: a£á?Painting Her Ways: The Ink Art of Fang Zhaolinga£á? Exhibition.
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