The first exhibition devoted to the work of the little-known late Qing Cantonese artist. Over eighty paintings, fan and album leaves, as well as seals and a newly-uncovered manuscript by the artist will be on view providing a rare survey of Liang's art and life.
Embracing the Way: The Art of Liang Yuwei
The University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong is proud
to present the first exhibition devoted to the work of the little-known late
Qing Cantonese artist, Liang Yuwei (d. 1917). Over eighty paintings, fan
and album leaves, as well as seals and a newly-uncovered manuscript by the
artist will be on view providing a rare survey of Liang's art and life.
Liang was born in Panyu, Guangdong province and obtained his jinshi degree
during the reign of the Guangxu emperor (1875-1908). Although he was an
ambitious and conscientious scholar official, Liang's professional life was
tainted by disappointment and a sense of injustice at his lowly position.
He held a number of official posts, working as a civil official in Beijing
before retiring to Guangdong.
Liang sought solace from his career in painting, which became his sole means
of survival after retirement. Many of his paintings depict landscapes that
are spontaneous in execution while showing some of the monumental qualities
of Yuan dynasty masters. Others are more whimsical portraits of ordinary
folk going about their daily lives revealing a lighter side to the artist's
personality, or delicate rock and floral compositions. The exhibition will
also include seals engraved by Liang who was influenced by bronze and stone
ink rubbings, which he collected, and a rare recently-discovered manuscript
of practice essays that Liang made. This exhibition is on loan from a
private Hong Kong collection and will be accompanied by a fully-illustrated
catalogue with three essays on the artist and his art, representing a new
contribution to research on Lingnan artists.
The exhibition opening will take place on Thursday 28th October at 6:00 p.m.
Mr Linus W. L. Cheung, Chairman of LWLC and Associates Limited and Professor
Paul Tam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong will officiate
at the ceremony. Members of the press are warmly invited to attend.
The Museum opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.;
Sundays 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Museum is closed on public holidays.
Admission is free.
Please visit the Museum website www.hku.hk/hkumag or call 2241-5512 for
further information.
Image: Liang Yuwei, Landscape, 1911. Handscroll; ink on paper 48 x 180 cm, (private collection)
University Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong