Chao Shao-an Student Exhibition Series III

Professor Chao Shao-an (1905 – 1998), one of the most renowned painters of the Lingnan School, made a hugely important contribution to art education when he established the Lingnan Art Studio in Guangzhou in 1930 and later in Hong Kong in 1948. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is organising this Student Exhibition Series to study the ways in which features of the Lingnan School have been carried on in its students' works and how innovations have been introduced by the individual artists.

After fighting in the Sino-Japanese War as a young man, Chiu Sai-kwong (1916 – 2007) devoted himself to his career as an educator and artist in Hong Kong. Taken under Professor Chao's wing in 1948, he was one of Chao's earliest students in Hong Kong. Teaming up with fellow students, Chiu founded the art group, Today's Chinese Art Association, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Hong Kong Chinese Art Club, the Geng Zi Painting Society, the Hong Kong Ling Fung Art Association and the Hong Kong Art Researching Association. With extraordinary passion, he promoted the development of art and education in Hong Kong and the mainland for many years.

Chiu held his first solo exhibition in 1958 in Hong Kong, and this was followed by many other exhibitions of his works both at home and abroad. Known as an innovator in both subject matter and technique, he excelled in exploring new themes that served as a mirror for contemporary society. The coral fish, tropical orchids, birds of paradise and many other exotic plants and animals in his works expanded the creative scope of the Lingnan School, while the vivid colours, unique compositions and modelling effects that he used reflect his energetic and enthusiastic spirit.

Featuring over 40 paintings by Chiu Sai-kwong, this exhibition showcases the artist's genuine feeling for the exotic in our world.