Hong Kong Art

When did Hong Kong’s art scene truly begin? Even if you visit university or art museum, you may not find a definitive answer. HKAC is offering a one-of-a-kind course designed to fill this gap by guiding participants through over a century of artistic evolution, a journey that no other institution in Hong Kong currently provides. 

The course takes you on a fascinating exploration of Hong Kong art, starting from the late 19th century with Chinese export art and spanning into the 20th century. You will delve into pivotal moments like the rise of calendar poster design driven by the intersection of art and commerce, the arrival of Western media art in the 1930s, and the ongoing tension between the Lingnan School and traditional Chinese painting. You will also witness the birth of New Chinese Ink Painting and the hybrid art movements that emerged in the 1980s.

What makes this course especially unique is the chance to engage with rarely discussed artworks, many uncovered through the speaker’s extensive research. Exploring everything from traditional Chinese and Western paintings to comics, sculptures, photography, and contemporary art illustrates Hong Kong’s rich and diverse artistic during the colonial era. Anyone passionate about Hong Kong art and culture, should seize this opportunity to discover all that has shaped the city’s artistic identity.  

Students will: 

• Deepen their understanding of Hong Kong’s art development 

• Enhance their knowledge of artworks through examination of artistic materials and concepts 

• Master the ability to observe and analyse artworks 

• Strengthen their personal engagement with local culture 

• Elevate their professional standards in the field of art 

Tutor
Dr. Jack Lee 

Current Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Art History Research Society, Dr. Jack Lee obtained his PhD from the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Hong Kong. He teaches art history and theory, with a particular emphasis on 18th– and 19th-century Chinese art. His research has focused on Chinese art history, Asian art and Hong Kong art, and his latest sole-author books are: The Art of Luis Chan: Selected Essays, China Trade Paintings: 1750s to 1880s and From Reality to Fantasy: The Art of Luis Chan. Dr. Lee’s scholarly articles have been published in both international and local art journals, and he is an active art critic, historian and editor in the Hong Kong art scene.