In the industrial era, the business world focused on quantity, making time-consuming and craftsmanship-oriented crafts especially valuable. This January, why not step into a historic building in the bustling Central district and visit the “Crafts on Peel” exhibition, which focuses on woodworking crafts, to appreciate the combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary art.
“Piao Ya Huo Yi” is a platform that combines local and overseas craftsmen for exchange, through organizing themed exhibitions, workshops, craftsman residency programs, and other activities, allowing the public to appreciate the beauty of craftsmanship, and also enabling contemporary craftsmen to exchange experiences, inspiring more creative ideas. In the past, exhibitions have been held on different themes to showcase the creations of more artists and craftsmen.
The “Crafting Wood, Crafting Eternity” exhibition showcases a total of 9 sets of woodworking works by local and overseas craftsmen from Hong Kong. Woodworking was originally a construction technique, but as it continues to develop, it has become a specialized craft that can produce not only furniture, decorations, and containers, but also artistic ornaments. The exhibition displays different types of woodworking works, highlighting not only the history of woodworking crafts and their applications in contemporary Hong Kong life, but also the combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary art.
Local craftsmen participating in the exhibition include: Master Lin Chi, Master Xiao Bingqiang, Master Huang Jianhong, Guan Xiaowei, Liu Weichang, Zhou Jianlong, Weng Yongen, Ye Jinheng, Hao Zhixin, Wu Tinghao, Lin Kunyou, Li Runshi, Chen Yu, Luo Zhiyun, Chen Zijun, Zhang Hanqian, and Wen Jianuo. Some craftsmen have also participated in the Craft Exchange Program of Piao Ya Huo Yi, allowing craftsmen from different sectors and generations to integrate creativity and skills on this platform.
Co-curator Zhou Jianlong said that there are currently dozens of woodworking workshops in Hong Kong, but everyone can focus on different areas. Through this exhibition, wood becomes a medium to connect different craftsmen and explore more possibilities of wood. Fiona Lau, creative director of Floating Projects, and co-curator Lu Wing-chun hope that through the exhibition, the audience can see the stories and passion of the creators in the woodworking crafts.
Wood comes from nature, it is a vibrant material that allows us to see the unique craftsmanship of the works through this exhibition, and also explore more possibilities of wood.
The Art of Woodcarving
Date: January 22, 2022 to May 21, 2022
Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Location: PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
Learn more and image source: Crafts on Peel
