During the pandemic, Hong Kong is filled with unease and tension. This summer, Artspace K will host a special exhibition titled “Tranquility in Hong Kong,” featuring ink paintings by renowned contemporary artist Wong Haau Kooi that showcase the cityscape and natural scenery of Hong Kong. The hope is that through his artwork, people can find solace and rediscover a sense of peace and tranquility.
The prevalence of Hong Kong ink painting creation originated from the “New Ink Movement” in the local art scene of the 1960s and 1970s. This movement was driven by innovative ink painters who skillfully integrated traditional and Lingnan painting techniques with Western modern art concepts. Their works not only showcase traditional Chinese expressive techniques but also embody the styles of Western sketching and watercolor, pioneering a new modern ink painting style for local art. Huang Xiaokui is one of the highly representative new ink painters.
Huang Xiaokui’s work has the characteristics of traditional ink painting, while also containing the aesthetics and forms of Western modernity. The brushwork emphasizes the contrast between black and white, highlighting the expression of light and color, pushing the rendering of ink painting to the extreme, forming a personal creative style. He presents his observations of the Hong Kong landscape through ink painting, preserving the unique features of Hong Kong.
Curator Li Yuhan of “Ningjing • Hong Kong” special exhibition believes that Huang Xiaokui is best at using black and white ink, light and shadow, and color texture. He uses traditional ink art as a carrier, rendering ink to the extreme, forming a unique artistic expression. Rigorous and meticulous in composition, he prefers to layout in vertical narrow or super wide frames, and in his ink paintings, he can express a sense of power.
This exhibition showcases the ink paintings of Wong Haau-kwai, depicting the historical charm of Hong Kong through the artist’s eyes. With his unique style, the artist uses the characteristics of ink to portray large areas of different layers of dense ink and the beauty of blank spaces, while also meticulously depicting the details of the landscape. The interplay of reality and illusion in the paintings sets the stage for viewers, adding depth and richness to the artwork, highlighting the atmosphere presented by the landscape – serene yet intricate, ethereal yet vast, leaving viewers with infinite space for imagination and emotion.
Unlike typical landscape ink paintings, Huang Xiaokui’s works do not pursue detailed realism, but express the rich and profound artistic conception of a corner of the city with dense black ink. His works often possess a gentle power that soothes the soul. You are welcome to visit the exhibition and find a sense of tranquility in the artist’s works.
“Concentration ‧ Hong Kong” Wong Hiu-kwai Ink Art Exhibition
Date: From now until October 23, 2022 (Closed on Sundays)
Time: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Location: Artspace K, G105-106, The Pulse, 109 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
Image source and learn more: Artspace K
