The late Chinese artist Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010) appreciated music more than his own medium, painting. He said: 'Of all the arts, music is held in the highest regard.' Taking its cue from the spirit of those words, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has created an exhibition of Wu's works that combines art, dance and music entitled Wu Guanzhong: Painting{bull}Dance{bull}Music.
Many of Wu's works were created using dots, lines and cubes, landscapes painted in oils and the traditional Chinese medium of ink on paper. His distinctive style has been described as Chinese in outlook and modern in conception, drawing on Western influences of abstraction and inspired by the beauty of nature.
Wu is recognised as a master of modern Chinese painting, and was one of the earliest mainland artists to gain international recognition. In 1992, he became the first living artist from China to stage a solo exhibition at the British Museum in London.
More than 20 of Wu's paintings will be on show at the exhibition, including Faces Unchanged, which is part of the museum's collection. It was painted in 2001 using ink and colour on paper, and features small coloured shapes that bring to mind a lively musical rhythm, epitomising the links between art and music.
Mending Nets, a 2009 work in oil on canvas, comprises abstract lines depicting abandoned fishing nets. Wu gave 50 paintings to the Hong Kong Museum of Art, including Mending Nets, Victoria Harbour and Two Swallows. The artist visited Hong Kong regularly, and held exhibitions in 1995 and 2002.
Highlights of the exhibition include Former Residence of Qiu Jin and Reminiscence of Jiangnan, both of which feature geometric shapes in black and white.
