As a popular form of entertainment, “playing mahjong” almost represents an authentic cultural symbol of Hong Kong. When everyone thinks that “mahjong” is just a popular pastime, have you ever thought that it can also be linked to art? HKI Gallery recently held the “Mahjong Artistry” exhibition, inviting three artists and craftsmen from different fields to collaborate from an aesthetic perspective to present the exquisite craftsmanship of mahjong.
The exhibition combines elements of sculpture, illustration, and imagery, allowing creativity to collide and discover previously unexplored aesthetic territories in traditional sparrow craftsmanship. The focus is on the hand-carved sparrows by craftsman Master Zhang Chengzhong, as well as the paintings and designs by visual artist Karen Aruba, complemented by photographer AndyPoll’s photography, to explore the lesser-known side behind the “non-material cultural heritage” of hand-carved sparrows.
Master craftsman Zhang Chengzhong, who specializes in hand-carved sparrows, teamed up with Karen Aruba, his daughter, to interpret sparrow craftsmanship in a new and old way. Feeling that the art of hand-carved sparrows is gradually fading, Master Zhang Chengzhong, encouraged by his daughter, systematically re-recorded and preserved the sparrow production stories of his family for the past fifty years from his works, giving sparrows new value from an artistic perspective. In the exhibition, he carved traditional sparrow patterns such as “characters,” “bamboo sticks,” and “east, south, west, north, red, green, white” on sparrow tiles, each piece showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.
Karen, on the other hand, uses her expertise in illustration elements as the design language of Sparrow Design, reinterpreting the traditional hand-carved sparrow craftsmanship. Among them, “Clever Sparrow Encounter – Hong Kong Edition” is inspired by the extraordinary ancient sparrow card design. Karen transforms “authentic Hong Kong cultural symbols” into design elements, creating an elegant and interesting image with ever-changing gradient colors, forming a fresh and timeless work.
Photographer AndyPoll, using imaginative composition and lighting, microscopically carves mahjong tiles, leading viewers into the perspective of craftsman Zhang Chengzhong and art illustrator Karen Aruba, delving into every step of the mahjong craftsmanship, feeling the tension and warmth between each stroke, each carving, and each drill of the hand-carved mahjong tiles. The lens emphasizes the rich colors of the materials, gazing at the two artists’ skillful techniques in calligraphy, painting, carving, and color application from a fresh perspective.
The exhibition combines the ideas of hand-carved sparrow craftsmen and artists, embodying the unique culture of “sparrows” in a new dimension. If you enjoy “playing cards,” you may want to visit the exhibition to appreciate the “sparrow” aesthetics from another visual perspective.
“Crafty Sparrow Serendipity” Exhibition
Date: From now until August 13
Time: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: HKI Gallery, 7th Floor, Whampoa Mansion, 178-186 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
Image source and learn more: HKI Gallery
