An exhibition entitled "#popcolours: The Aesthetics of Hues in Antiquities from the HKMoA Collection" will be held from Friday (November 5) at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA). With "colours" as the theme, the exhibition features more than 300 items of Chinese antiquities from the museum collection and takes the visitors on a fascinating journey to explore the colourful world of ancient artefacts.
 
     Once used as daily wares, artefacts often feature colours and patterns comparable in style and beauty to modern designs. The design of an artefact not only reflects the personal taste of its owner, but also reflects the owner's religious beliefs, rules and etiquette. In ancient China, colours were classified into five categories, known as a scheme of "five prime colours", comprising blue, red, yellow, white and black. The exhibition displays diverse exhibits including porcelains, lacquerware, textiles, glass and jade, and presents five historical figures as key opinion leaders, namely Emperor Qin, Emperor Huizong of the Song dynasty, Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty and Emperor Qianlong and official Lang Tingji of the Qing dynasty, to represent the five colours and introduce how they influenced the selection of colours of the artefacts at their time. Selected modern artworks from the museum collection will also be displayed to connect the past with the present.
 
     Collector and member of the Min Chiu Society Mr Cheung Kee-wee generously donated more than 100 items, mainly comprising monochrome porcelains, from his collection of Chinese antiquities to the HKMoA. Over 80 items from the newly donated collection will be on display in the exhibition.
 
     To show support for the exhibition, local artist and illustrator Jane Lee (also known as Messy Desk) was invited to create an illustration for a tour about colours of Chinese artefacts. The two characters in the illustration will take the audiences on a journey of searching for colours and the colourants used in Chinese artefacts. Lee has also transformed the lobby on the third floor of the HKMoA into a Messy Desk city, allowing visitors to feel as if they're flying over Victoria Harbour, travelling through time and space, and entering the colourful world of Chinese antiquities through the characters she specially created for the exhibition.
 
     The exhibition will run from November 5 to March 30 next year at the Chinese Antiquities Gallery on the third floor of the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). For details of the exhibition and admission arrangements, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/popcolours-the-aesthetics-of-hues-in-antiquities-from-the-hkmoa-collection.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.
 
     All persons will be required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter offices and venues under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) except for exempted persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above and those with disabilities that render use of the app difficult. Exemptions will also be granted to individual persons depending on the actual circumstances. All exempted persons are required to complete a record form to register their personal particulars and the date and time of their visit. As it will take time to verify personal particulars of exempted persons under the new arrangement, their waiting time for using public services or entering the relevant venues may be lengthened. The LCSD suggests that members of the public should arrive early and appeals for their understanding. The department also encourages the exempted persons to use the app as far as possible to save time.

Ends/Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:55

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