Pieces of wood are considered by many people to be furniture or construction materials. But to sculptors, wood is like a spiritual friend with which they can exchange their ideas and feelings.
The University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong is staging the exhibition Concepts in Wood: Contemporary Hong Kong Wood Sculpture until October 17. The sculptures on display are by seven local sculptors who use their spiritual friendship with wood and sublime skills to transform this lifeless object into unique pieces of art reflecting the complexities of human life.
'Wood is a relatively humane material that bears a quality of warmth because it was once a living thing,' explains sculptor Tong King-sum, one of the pioneers of Hong Kong wood sculpture. 'You must have a deep understanding with the piece of wood otherwise it will be very difficult [to do a sculpture].'
Such friendliness towards nature permeates most of Tong's sculptures, which exude a sense of harmony and tranquility. Take Union, a work by Tong done in 1997. The sculpture shows a tree trunk interlocking with another piece of wood. The natural form of the sculpture radiates a feeling of wholeness and a sense of unity between human beings and nature.
Viewers also have the chance to appreciate the wood sculptures of Cheung Yee, one of Hong Kong's most prominent artists. Many of his exhibited works leave a mysterious impression, as the artist often draws from historical Chinese elements such as oracle bones to develop his sculptural forms.
Works by some younger artists are also included in the exhibition, and many of them reflect contemporary life experiences in a humorous and satirical manner. Gratitude At Having Survived is a comical sculpture by Chow Shun-keung. The work shows a headless and featherless chicken - similar to the ones seen hanging in barbecue meat shops - dancing cheerfully.
