The first exhibition in Hong Kong to show Taoist relics found in Shanxi province. On display will be over sixty works of Taoist art illustrating many facets of Taoist religion dating from the Tang (618-907) to the Qing dynasties (1644-1911).
The University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong and the
Administration of Cultural Relics, Shanxi province will jointly present an
exhibition 'Ancient Taoist Art from Shanxi Province' at the Museum from 31
March to 23 June, 2003 in association with the Taoist Association of Hong
Kong. Sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, the exhibition is
organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Museum and the 90th
anniversary of the Arts Faculty of The University of Hong Kong. Part of the
Hong Kong Taoist Festival in March, it is the first exhibition in Hong Kong to show Taoist relics found in Shanxi province.
Taoism is one of China's most important philosophical and religious
doctrines and continues to be widely practised today. Taoist philosophy is
built upon the teachings of Laozi collected in the classic Daodejing, and
developed into a religion during the Han dynasty. Taoist philosophy stresses
the natural forces of the universe, yin and yang, which must be maintained
in harmony in the world. Religious Taoism teaches that human beings can
transcend their mortal lives by following the natural law of the Tao.
Mortality itself was believed to be deferrable through methods invented by
practitioners and priests for preserving health and prolonging life. This
also gave rise to the cult of the immortals.
On display will be over sixty works of Taoist art illustrating many facets
of Taoist religion dating from the Tang (618-907) to the Qing dynasties
(1644-1911). They include paintings, porcelain, lacquerware as well as
carvings in stone, wood, jade and bronze which are all on loan from museums
in Shanxi province.
The exhibition preview will take place at the Museum at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday,
30 March, 2003. Mr. Tong Wai Ki, Chairman, The Hong Kong Taoist Association;
Mr. Gao Ke, Deputy Director, the Administration of Cultural Relics, Shanxi
Province; Mr. Andre Dallaire, Chief Executive, the Chubb Group of Insurance
Companies; and Professor K. M. Cheng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, The University of
Hong Kong, will officiate at the ceremony.
The opening hours of the Museum are daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and
from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. The Museum is closed on public
holidays. Admission is free. All are welcome.
To coincide with the exhibition, a series of public lectures will be
organised to promote the understanding of Taoist art. Details are as
follows:
(1) Mr. Alexander Hui: Chinese Roofs in Local Temples
(conducted in English) 21.3.2003 (Friday), 5:30 p.m.
(2) Mr. Ip Cheung-ching: Taoist Temples in Hong Kong
(conducted in Cantonese) 12.4.2003 (Saturday) 3:00 p.m.
(3) Ms. Anita Wong: Ancient Taoist Sculptures (conducted in Cantonese)
26.4.2003 (Saturday) 3:00 p.m.
(4) Mr. Yeung Chun-tong: Chinese Deities (conducted in Cantonese)
3.5.2003 (Saturday) 3:00 p.m.
All talks will be held at the Museum and are open to the public. Admission
is free. All are welcome.
University Museum and Art Gallery
94 Bonham Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
tel 2241-5513