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Archaic Curator Series: The Charm of Colour — Travel with Ceramics through Time and Space | Exhibition Introduction

In 2022, Oi! launched the Archaic Curator Series, inviting Chinese art historians and curators to collaborate with us on exhibitions that engage with traditional Chinese art through innovative forms of expression, bridging the old and the new. This third exhibition of the series is guest curated by Dr Wang Guanyu, Associate Curator (Antiquities) of the Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Art Museum), with three accomplished artists from Jingdezhen and Hong Kong—Gu Yue, Fiona Wong and Caroline Cheng—participating.

The challenge of balancing tradition and modernity has always been an important topic to the creation of art. Each of the three artists featured in this exhibition approaches their works from a different angle: ceramic traditions, contemporary ceramics and the sustainable future of ceramic art. Focusing on the rich essence and endless possibilities of using colours in ceramics and taking inspiration from the CUHK Art Museum’s collection, the artists infuse their own technical artistry and aesthetics into their works, showcasing their personal understanding and interpretation of contemporary ceramic art.

Jingdezhen, known as the millennium porcelain capital, is renowned for its rich ceramic heritage. Gu Yue, a graduate of Jingdezhen Ceramic University draws inspiration from flowers and nature to express the vibrant spirit of the new generation of ceramic artists. His works skillfully blend traditional moulding and decorative techniques with contemporary aesthetics.

In recent years, Fiona Wong has focused on exploring soil and studying Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. For this exhibition, she draws inspiration from the stories surrounding Nam Koo Terrace, a century-old mansion in Wan Chai. Through her meticulous craftsmanship, she assembles ceramic tiles to create a historical map of Wan Chai. She also incorporates soil indigenous to the area and employs modern ceramic 3D printing technology to guide visitors to uncover the narratives behind contemporary urban development.

Caroline Cheng and her team have developed a method to upcycle ceramic waste into malleable clay, challenging the conventional perceptions of ceramics. Visitors to the exhibition can admire her latest works, crafted from this sustainable material. Cheng likens herself to the old man who moved a mountain in the famous Chinese fable, persistently striving for the sustainable development of ceramics, one step at a time.

To enrich visitors’ appreciation of the beauty of traditional Chinese ceramics, the CUHK Art Museum is concurrently showcasing "Amazing Clay: Masterpieces from the Ceramic Collection of CUHK Art Museum". Visitors are invited to embark on an artistic journey that spans thousands of years and admire ceramic works dating from the Neolithic period to the 21st century. The exhibition prompts visitors to contemplate and explore the roots of ceramic art, its contemporary interpretation and its endless future possibilities.

Exhibition Details

• Archaic Curator Series: The Charm of Colour — Travel with Ceramics through Time and Space
• Date: 26 Sep 2024 - 31 Jan 2025
• Time: Check the opening hours of Oil Street
• Venue: Oi! Glassie
• Address: 12 Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong

Source of the above information: PR