HK’s annual celebration combines ink artistry with progression of our times and encourages community connection
UOB Art Academy and the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) join forces again to present the Art in Ink Festival (the Festival) for the second year. The Festival embodies the shared vision of UOB Art Academy and HKPM to champion Chinese ink art and ensure its legacy lives on through future generations. Scheduled from 16 to 31 December 2023 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, this year’s Festival promises to delight visitors with a wide range of new and captivating programmes centred around Chinese ink art and culture.
Visitors can look forward to an extensive line-up such as the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners’ Showcase, interactive ink experiences, immersive animated ink screening, talk and panel discussion, pop-up music performances, art in ink workshops and open houses at artists’ studio visits. These offerings will allow the public to engage with and explore the creative possibilities of Chinese ink art.
Through this collaboration, UOB Art Academy and HKPM reaffirm their commitment to nurturing local artistic talents and solidifying Hong Kong's position as a vibrant East-meets-West hub for international cultural exchange. The efforts in promoting Chinese culture and ink art contribute to the cultural richness of the city and its global recognition. This is in line with the 2023 Policy Address which emphasises the proactive promotion of arts, culture and creative sectors as robust industries.
Mrs Christine Ip, CEO - Greater China and Head of Group Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, said, “We are immensely proud to continue our collaboration with HKPM for the second year. This partnership not only showcases the profound beauty of ink art, but also explores the creative potential of this traditional art form while nurturing the next generation of artistic talents. As the leading patron of the arts in Asia, UOB is dedicated to igniting inspiration, supporting artistic excellence and leaving an indelible mark on the world of art. Through the Art in Ink Festival, we offer a platform where the timeless allure of Chinese ink art meets the dynamic progression of our times, connecting us all.”
Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, said, “The Hong Kong Palace Museum is thrilled to collaborate with UOB for the second year to present the Art in Ink Festival. This Festival provides an opportunity for the public and visitors from Mainland China and abroad to appreciate and engage with the profound beauty of traditional Chinese ink art, which is testimonial to the Museum’s mission of facilitating cultural exchanges and promoting the inherent beauty and sophistication of Chinese culture, especially for future generations. We are grateful for UOB’s support which allows us to realise and orchestrate such a vision.”
Highlights of the 2023 Art in Ink Festival
Held at the HKPM’s Palace Academy, the Festival will be open to the public with free admission. Visitors can explore the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners’ Showcase, where they will discover a variety of winning artworks from the abstract and landscape/figurative genres with diverse techniques to create captivating visuals. Selected artworks will be presented in an interactive ink art experience powered by augmented reality (AR). Visitors can also enjoy the InkFlow Theatre immersive ink animation screening at the auditorium to experience the exciting visual experience brought by ink art.
The Art in Ink Festival celebrates the harmonious blend of art and technology, presenting a diverse range of engaging interactive experiences in order to entertain and enrich visitors' appreciation of ink art. At the heart of the Festival lies the InkFinity Encounter Interactive Ink Experience Zone, which features three fascinating collections of interactive installations.
Among these installations is The Book of Drops by esteemed Hong Kong media artist Chris Cheung (h0nh1m). Known for his innovative new media art installation, Cheung completes his trilogy in The Book series by presenting The Book of Drops at the Festival. It presents a mesmerising anthology of cherished moment, comprising a fading track of ink-like water droplets. It invites the audience to input their words and content, which will be transcribed into morse code.
Another highlight is The Sea of the (Un)titled, an interactive digital installation that draws inspiration from the exceptional winning artworks of the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards. The work encourages visitors to explore the meaning and relevance of the artwork titles and contemporary ink paintings, and how the ‘words’ let their imagination lead the way and interpretation of new meanings of ink art. This compelling installation enables visitors to engage with the artworks in a whole new way.
Additionally, the InkFinity Encounter Interactive Ink Experience Zone presents an exclusive and limited collection series of wearable clothing inspired by the winning artworks of the UOB Art in Ink Awards. This exceptional limited-edition series is designed and curated by internationally renowned fashion designer Hidy Ng. The integration of AR technology sets this collection apart, offering visitors a unique virtual fitting room experience that seamlessly blends art and fashion with digital innovation.
Captivating the audience with orchestral performances, InkSpectacle Pop-up Performances will bring the award-winning artworks to life through a unique audio-visual experience. Seven young musicians will perform selected well-known tunes that are inspired by the winning artworks of the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards.
In addition to these performances, a public lecture and a panel discussion will delve into the topics of Chinese ink art and women empowerment in the art industry. Two prominent ink artists, Dr Chui Pui-chee and Yau Wing Fung, will also open their studios to the public, offering a unique opportunity for participants to get a glimpse of their creative spaces.
Throughout the Festival, a diverse range of workshops will be available to visitors, led by accomplished artists dedicated to ink art education. The artists include Dr Chui Pui-Chee, Rebecca Hon, Christine Lee, Lee Yee Mei, Tony Ng, Gessena Wong, Yau Wing Fung and Simon Yung. The workshops will cover various topics including traditional ink painting, modern landscape painting, abstract ink painting, Chinese traditional gongbi painting in blue-and-white porcelain style on gold paper, classical Chinese landscape painting, and more. There will also be dedicated sessions for school teachers who are interested in learning Chinese ink art.
Visitors can sign up for the workshops and artist studio visits through www.artininkfestival.com.hk, from today.
Remarks
About UOB Art Academy
The UOB Art Academy was established by UOB in Hong Kong in 2015 with an aim of making art more accessible, nurturing local artistic talents and rejuvenating cultural heritage. As an extension of UOB Group's corporate social responsibility initiatives, the Academy achieves its goals through various channels including the UOB Art in Ink Awards, art outreach programmes, workshops and collaborations within the local community.
Since its introduction in 2017, the UOB Art in Ink Awards is committed to promoting and fostering Chinese ink art as a unique art form and a representation of Chinese culture. The Awards not only encourages and inspires the innovation within the medium but also celebrates the outstanding achievements of local artistic talents. In 2023, the Awards was extended to mainland China as a campus edition.
As the leading patron of the art in Asia, UOB firmly believes that art plays a vital role in enriching lives and strengthening societal bonds within communities. Since the 1970s, UOB has actively supported the art communities through the acquisition of paintings. Today, the UOB Art Collection comprises more than 2,600 artworks primarily showcasing paintings from established and emerging Southeast Asian artists. Over that past four decades, UOB has been championing Southeast Asian art and artists in the region, notably through its flagship regional art programme, the UOB Painting of the Year (POY) competition.
For details, please visit www.UOBArtAcademy.com.hk.
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to become a leading institution in the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture while advancing dialogue among world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum and is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and educational programmes in 2023–2031.
Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum combines a Hong Kong perspective with a global vision to present precious artefacts from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum aims to build international partnerships and position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum strives to inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
