Hongkong Land puts on public art show, after pulling out of rooftop statue display

Hongkong Land today makes a public art comeback, unveiling around 30 works by the late British sculptor Lynn Chadwick at its properties in Hong Kong’s Central district, months after pulling out of a display of works by another British sculptor, Antony Gormley, on Central rooftops.

The company, the biggest landlord in Central, has placed six large Chadwick sculptures in the Rotunda at Exchange Square, the Chater House lobby, the Landmark Atrium, the area outside the Forum (where sculptures by Henry Moore, Ju Ming and Elisabeth Frink sit), by the stairs outside Jardine House and in the lobby of Alexandra House. They will be on display for six months. The rest of the display comprises small sculptures that will be shown in the Rotunda and other venues for a month.

The project came about because Greg McNamara, the owner of a newly opened art consultancy in Hong Kong, is good friends with Chadwick’s grandson.

“I became close to his mother and 18 months ago, I proposed to her that we do a public exhibition of her father’s works here. Hongkong Land held a Chadwick exhibition in 1992 so I thought it was the right company to approach, and I started talking to them about this around 10 months ago,” said Hong Kong-born McNamara.

Chadwick, one of the UK’s most celebrated post-war sculptors, created a body of abstract works known for a blending of sharp, modernist lines and a humanist sensitivity. His men, women and animals often have geometric heads, looking alien yet friendly.

“Everyone can relate to Chadwick’s works. The aesthetics are very approachable. I hope that this project will help democratise art,” said McNamara.

Chadwick was ambivalent about showing his works in crowded places, according to Michael Bird, his biographer. “People should be quiet and peaceful while they’re looking at it,” Chadwick used to say. But the organisers believe the works will resonate with their surroundings in Hong Kong.