Special Programmes for Exhibitions "Claylaboration—Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition" and "Golden Splendours: 20th-Century Painted Porcelain of Hong Kong"

Unless otherwise stated, all special programmes are conducted in Cantonese and are free of charge. For special arrangements under inclement weather conditions, please click here for details. For enquiries, please call 2180 8260. The Museum makes no representations on the content of the programmes. Programmes are subject to change and cancellation without prior notice.

Programme details

"Be a Little Porcelain Painter" Family Workshop
Special Programme for the Chinese New Year

A plain white porcelain item becomes a beautiful coloured porcelain item after an artist has meticulously and ingeniously painted gorgeous decorative patterns on it. In this workshop, children, as "little porcelain painters", will learn about the decorative and propitious patterns of gangcai and the painted porcelain production method and techniques. They will create a set of painted porcelain coasters filled with New Year's greetings and creative New Year pictures.

Talk: "From Guangzhou to Hong Kong and across the Globe: Gangcai Stories Transcending Time and Boundaries"

Gangcai – Hong Kong painted porcelain – has a unique style, mixing Eastern and Western cultures, spanning ancient and modern, with endless stories. Visitors can appreciate Hong Kong painted porcelain through images; and listen to scholars having a dialogue and telling stories about gangcai, including the historical reasons for its move to Hong Kong from Guangzhou. During the gradual development of Hong Kong's glazed porcelain factories, the gangcai painters contributed their expertise and created a brilliant golden age of gangcai. The endless interesting stories transcend time and boundaries. We look forward to learning more about gangcai to cherish this unique form of ceramic art.

Talk: "Inspiration Exchange: When Contemporary Designs and Traditional Painted Porcelain Converge"

Gangcai – Hong Kong painted porcelain – is a unique craft that integrates Chinese and Western cultures. From traditional Chinese motifs to exotic patterns, and from simple household utensils to multi-element decorations, it has been used to create practical products that suit modern life. As it is invigorated by new ideas, will the traditional painted porcelain craftwork and the new era's design industry move forward in parallel, stimulating brilliant developments? Mr. Yiu Hoi-ki, a senior craftsman in the painted porcelain industry, and Ms. Agatha Tsang, a professional designer, will share their views with the audience.

Discovering Ceramic Art and Overglaze Painting: Visits to Painted Porcelain Factories and Ceramic Art Studios

Porcelain and ceramics are the major media used to create painted porcelain and ceramic art, which appeal to many art enthusiasts. In this programme, the participants will visit porcelain factories, organisations related to painted porcelain, and ceramic art studios. Through sharing by porcelain masters and ceramists, the participants will learn about the current situation and the latest developments of Hong Kong painted porcelain and ceramic art, as well as the stories behind the materials.

Create with Clay: Pottery-Making Try-out Workshop

After seeing the ceramic and porcelain exhibits in the exhibition hall, would you like to try making pottery? The museum will host a workshop for pottery art. The participants can get a taste of throwing a pot on a potter's wheel, and feel the rhythm as a new work takes shape. Participants who like to create freely can also choose to experience the skills of shaping clay by hand, to create a pottery artwork with their personal style and a unique shape. Pottery art fans are welcome to experience the skills of shaping clay and creating pottery art.

Demonstration and Appreciation of Gangcai Techniques

Hong Kong used to be where most of the world's hand-painted gangcai porcelain wares were created. As time passed, many of the porcelain factories in Hong Kong closed down. Today, only a few porcelain masters are still engaged in hand-painted gangcai production, utilising their exquisite porcelain painting skills and wealth of experience gained in past decades. We have invited a veteran porcelain master to this programme to demonstrate his gangcai techniques, such as line encircling, tahua (painting Canton Rose), and drawing bianshi (border patterns) and jindi (ground patterns).

Encounter with Gangcai: Demonstration of Gangcai Techniques and Porcelain Painting Workshop

Session 1: Demonstration and Appreciation of Gangcai Techniques
Hong Kong used to be where most of the world's hand-painted gangcai porcelain wares were created. As time passed, many of the porcelain factories in Hong Kong closed down. Today, only a few porcelain masters are still engaged in hand-painted gangcai production, utilising their exquisite porcelain painting skills and wealth of experience gained in past decades. We have invited a veteran porcelain master to this programme to demonstrate his gangcai techniques, such as line encircling, tahua (painting Canton Rose), and drawing bianshi (border patterns) and jindi (ground patterns).

Session 2: Porcelain Painting Workshop
After appreciating the demonstration by the porcelain painting master, the participants will learn about the basic skills of porcelain painting under the guidance of the instructor. All participants will have an opportunity to experience the art of gangcai by designing and making their own porcelain dish.

Pottery-Making ● Music-Jamming: A Ceramic Art Ensemble

When you hear of ceramic meeting music, what springs to mind? How can a simple looking ceramic cup or bowl be turned into an extraordinary percussion instrument? The participants will learn about the musical characteristics of ceramic clay and ceramic shaping, and participate in an ensemble directed by the instructor. All the musicians will assemble and perform on the stairs of the entrance lobby of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. No musical experience or background is required to join the ensemble. Don't miss the chance!

# Subject to the weather condition on the programme day

More than Clay: A Demonstration and Sharing Session by Contemporary Ceramic Artists

Clay shaping, painting, firing, grinding and polishing are the basic processes in making ceramics. The ceramic artists participating in the Claylaboration – Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition will talk about their inspirations with clay, demonstrate their pottery skills, and share their passion, experience and production processes with the audience. They will also talk about their artistic journey of Claylaboration – about their exchanges and cooperation with artists and creators from other art media and industries, and explore the possibilities for creativity and development by integrating ceramics with different art forms.