Fantastic Creatures
Fantastic Creatures
HK Museum of Art
Tupilaks were violent spirits conjured by powerful shamans using animal and human remains (particularly those of children), and they were supposed to come to life when placed in water. Only superior sorcery could deflect their attack.
That might sound like something out of Harry Potter or role-playing video games but tupilaks are, in fact, mythical beings from Inuit lore in Greenland. If you are curious about what they look like, there is one in the Hong Kong Museum of Art right now. This animal-human hybrid figure is made of wood and bone and is one of the smaller - and strangest-looking - artefacts from a British Museum touring exhibition titled 'Fantastic Creatures'.
Showcasing 170 items spanning many thousands of years (from paleolithic times to the present day), and across different cultures and civilisations, the exhibition primarily looks at an array of mythical creatures and beasts, and traces their origins and stories.
So there are the usual suspects: the Greek gorgon Medusa, the Egyptian sphinx, the Chinese dragon, Indian gods and goddesses, as well as the unicorn and mermaid of European folklores. Then there are the lesser-known 'thunderbird' of the Kwakwaka'wakw tribe in Canada, the Japanese tengu and the Balinese winged lion.
The exhibition also looks at how, throughout the ages, humans have looked to the supernatural for answers and protection in times of fear and uncertainty.
The show is thematically divided into nine sections to give the exhibits context. For instance, the 'Good and Evil' segment looks at the symbolic meanings of dragons and serpents in different cultures. So while the dragon is regarded as auspicious by the Chinese, it is something more sinister in the West. 'Fact and Fiction' looks at unicorns and lions, 'At the Boundaries' focuses on sphinx and part-human creatures, while 'Fear and Protection' shows how demonic masks are worn in rituals to ward off or exorcise evil spirits.
The items on display are diverse in form and medium, ranging from ceramics and sculpture to etchings and masks, some of which are of stunning quality. An archaistic jade ring from the 18th to the 19th century, shaped in the form of a coiled dragon, is beautifully carved.
This is a comprehensive exhibition that highlights how different yet similar our ancestors were when it came to spiritual beliefs and superstitions. Because of the quantity of artefacts on show, this show warrants multiple visits.
However, those with young children might want to avoid the 'Fear and Protection' section: some of the demon masks are scary.
HK Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, TST. Mon-Tue, Fri-Sun, HK$20, Wed, HK$10. Closed Thu. Inquiries: 2721 0116. Ends April 11
