Special Programmes for "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Women and Femininity in Ancient China – Treasures from the Nanjing Museum" exhibition
Unless otherwise stated, all special programmes are conducted in Cantonese and are free of charge. The Museum makes no representations on the content of the programmes. For special arrangements under inclement weather conditions, please click here for details. Programmes are subject to change and cancellation without prior notice. For enquiries, please call 2180 8260.
Programme Details
Grace of Dance — Discover the Classical Images of Chinese Women through Dances
In this programme, professional dancers will provide elaborated performances with inspiration from several highlighted exhibits. Through four different styles of classical Chinese dance, with corresponding costumes and make-up, the beauty and elegance of ancient women from different dynasties will come alive before the audience. After each performance, an educational workshop will be held to introduce one of the dance styles. Members of the audience are welcome to interact with the dancers to experience the charm of Chinese classical dance.
| Date | 4 December 2022 (Sun) 11 December 2022 (Sun) 7 January 2023 (Sat) 4 February 2023 (Sat) |
| Time | 2:30 pm – 3:15pm |
| Venue | Theatre, 1/F |
| Enrolment | No registration is required. Audiences will be admitted 15 minutes before the programme commences. Limited seats on a first come, first serve basis. |
Workshop Series
Interactive Story Time – Family Reading Club: Women's Fashion in Ancient China
Through picture books, storytelling and craft-making activities, the host will take you back to ancient China to see the evolution of women's fashion from the Han dynasty to the Qing dynasty. You will be able to learn more about the lives of women in different periods.
| Date | 10 December 2022 (Sat) |
| Time | Session 1: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (MuseKids Only) * Session 2: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm |
| Venue | Education Studio, G/F |
| Instructor | Ms Ann Ng (Session 1) and Mr Kenny Or (Session 2) |
| Target | Children aged 6 to 10 (an accompanying parent is required) |
| Enrolment | A maximum of 20 participants (10 pairs of child and adult) for each session. Enrolment starts on 14 November 2022 at 10:00 am and ends on 25 November 2022 at 3:00 pm. To register, please complete the application form for Education and Extension Programmes (download the form). In case of over-application, an open lot draw will be conducted. Successful applicants will be notified by phone. |
| Open lot drawing | 29 November 2022 at 11:00 am, Education Studio, G/F |
| *Note | MuseKids who have never participated in a MuseKids programme will be given priority when they sign up for the first workshop session. If the number of first-time MuseKids participants exceeds the quota, an open lot draw will be conducted. |
A Time of Bliss – My First Embroidery
One stitch, one thread. Embroidery is a tranquil craft, which puts people at ease. The workshop instructor will guide the participants to complete a small embroidery with basic stitching techniques. Join us to enjoy the fun of embroidery.
| Date | 4 February 2023 (Sat) |
| Time | Session 1: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Session 2: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm |
| Venue | Education Studio, G/F |
| Instructor | Ms. Stephanie Kwok |
| Target | People aged 12 or above |
| Enrolment | A maximum of 10 participants for each session. Enrolment starts on 9 January 2023 at 10:00 am and ends on 20 January 2023 at 3:00 pm. To register, please complete the application form for Education and Extension Programmes (download the form). In case of over-application, an open lot draw will be conducted. Successful applicants will be notified by phone. |
| Open lot drawing | 27 January 2023 at 11:00 am, Education Studio, G/F |
You Can Do It! Embroidery for Kids
In the old days, embroidery was a basic skill, which girls from upper-class families learnt since childhood. Now, your child can give it a try too. With two simple stitching techniques, the participants will complete a small embroidery under the guidance of the workshop instructor. Join us and have fun with embroidery!
| Date | 11 February 2023 (Sat) |
| Time | Session 1: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (MuseKids Only) * Session 2: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm |
| Venue | Education Studio, G/F |
| Instructor | Ms. Stephanie Kwok |
| Target | Children aged 8 to 12 (an accompanying parent is required) |
| Enrolment | A maximum of 20 participants (10 pairs of child and adult) for each session. Enrolment starts on 16 January 2023 at 10:00 am and ends on 27 January 2023 at 3:00 pm. To register, please complete the application form for Education and Extension Programmes (download the form). In case of over-application, an open lot draw will be conducted. Successful applicants will be notified by phone. |
| Open lot drawing | 31 January 2023 at 11:00 am, Education Studio, G/F |
| *Note | MuseKids who have never participated in a MuseKids programme will be given priority when they sign up for the first workshop session. If the number of first-time MuseKids participants exceeds the quota, an open lot draw will be conducted. |
Talk Series
Treasures of the Boudoirs – Illustrations of Artworks and Sentiment of Talented Women in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
During the period from the late Ming to early Qing dynasties, humanism had a profound impact on artistic creation. At that time, "talent" was considered the highest aesthetic norm. Thanks to the synergy of political, economic and cultural conditions, a large number of talented and knowledgeable women made their mark on history. The artworks they created opened a window to the past that helps us understand the traditions of that era.
For this lecture, we invited Ms Cao Qing, Researcher in the Institute of Ancient Art of the Nanjing Museum, to interpret in depth more than 100 artworks created by talented women in ancient times. Along with the exhibits from the exhibition, this lecture will allow us to learn more about the gracefulness, elegance, tranquility and expertise of talented female artists in ancient China.
| Date | 17 December 2022 (Sat) |
| Time | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Speaker | Ms Cao Qing Researcher at the Institute of Ancient Art, Nanjing Museum |
| Premiere Platform | Hong Kong Heritage Museum YouTube Channel |
| Language | Putonghua |
An Example of Nuanlao Viewed through the Gender Lens: Tanpozi Seen in the Narratives of Men and Women in Qing China
Tangpozi (a hot-water spouse) is a foot-warming hot water container, which people in ancient times placed under their quilts to keep themselves warm during the cold season. They were usually made of copper or tin. They were also called Tangpo (same as Tangpozi), Jiaopo (a foot-warming spouse), and Xifuren (a tin spouse).
Most elderly people cannot stand cold weather, so Tangpozi was widely used for foot-warming purposes. In the old days, it was believed that concubines could bring intimate warmth to men in bed, as denoted in the term nuanlao (warming seniors). Therefore, it was believed that the foot-warming Tangpozi could provide the same function as a nuanlao.
In this lecture, our guest speaker, Prof. Clara Ho, will introduce a variety of narratives about Tangpo produced by male and female writers in the Qing dynasty. She will also offer a gender analysis of the naming of this warming device.
| Date | 14 January 2023 (Sat) |
| Time | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Venue | Theatre, 1/F |
| Speaker | Professor Clara Wing-chung Ho Head and Professor Department of History Hong Kong Baptist University |
| Enrolment | No registration is required. Audiences will be admitted 15 minutes before the programme commences. Limited seats on a first come, first serve basis. |
A Glance of Women's Lifestyle and Culture in Ancient China through Treasures from the Nanjing Museum
Fashion is not a modern concept. People from different eras and ethnic groups have had their own fashion style. Clothing, makeup, and even tools have long been elements of fashion and culture. The speaker will introduce the essence of Chinese women's fashion, live style and culture over the past thousand years through the precious women-related exhibits in the "Women and Femininity in Ancient China – Treasures from the Nanjing Museum" exhibition.
In this lecture, Dr Raymond Tang, Curator (Art) of Hong Kong Heritage Museum, will join us to discuss the historical, artistic and cultural significance of these objects from different dynasties. Together, we will explore images of ancient Chinese women from various perspectives. By looking at their daily life and extraordinary talents, and the vast range of fashion, we will discover changes in social and cultural trends in China over the centuries.
| Date | 28 January 2023 (Sat) |
| Time | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Venue | Theatre, 1/F |
| Speaker | Dr Raymond Tang Curator (Art) of Hong Kong Heritage Museum |
| Enrolment | No registration is required. Audiences will be admitted 15 minutes before the programme commences. Limited seats on a first come, first serve basis. |
| Live streaming platform | Hong Kong Heritage Museum YouTube Channel |
Jinling: Painting Metropolis in the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties
Jinling (now known as Nanjing) is a city of profound historical and cultural heritage. From the Six Dynasties and the Southern Tang to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, there were several peaks of cultural development. When the Ming dynasty ended and the Qing dynasty began, Jinling, as the remaining capital from the previous dynasty, became a symbol of reminiscence and a place to pay tribute to the Ming motherland. Because of its cultural traditions, geographical environment and economy, Jinling attracted many local and expatriate painters, as well as adherents of the former dynasty, courtesans, collectors, patrons and publishers. Their relationships and interactions developed into a complex and unique scenario in painting circles. Many painters emphasised individualism or integrated styles from different periods and geographical regions. They combined their life experiences in Jinling with natural landscapes, resulting in many paintings from the era that are realistic and spiritual, romantic and bizarre.
In this lecture, our guest speaker, Mr Szeto Yuen-kit, will talk about Jinling, the painting metropolis in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He will also analyse how the special painting styles developed and Jinling's influence on painting circles in later ages, and explore with the participants the most active cultural metropolis and artistic hub of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
| Date | 11 February 2023 (Saturday) |
| Time | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Venue | Theatre, 1/F |
| Speaker | Mr Szeto Yuen-kit Former Chief Curator (Chih Lo Lou & Wu Guanzhong Collections) of the Hong Kong Museum of Art |
| Enrolment | No registration is required. Audiences will be admitted 15 minutes before the programme commences. Limited seats on a first come, first serve basis. |
