Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA)

Let’s get to know more about Chu Hing-wah! It is in Cantonese with English subtitles. 

Mother, child and the clock tower_Chu Hing-wah.png

Mother, child and the clock tower

Pui Kee Cha Chan restaurant_Chu Hing-wah.png

Pui Kee Cha Chan restaurant

Chu draws the scenes of Hong Kong because of his life experience and a sense of nostalgia. He also conserves beautiful things, using flowers as a metaphor for beautiful girls. 

Shitao, original name Zhu Ruoji, is known by many other names, including Dadizi and Kugua Heshang. A descendant of the Ming imperial family, he fled to become a monk after the fall of the dynasty and was thus later known as one of the Four Monks. During his sojourn in Anhui province, he befriended Mei Qing, who had a great impact on Shitao's early landscapes, and it was during this time that he became adept at painting Mount Huang. Settling in Yangzhou in his later years, he became a close friend of another of the Four Monks, Zhu Da, and his works exerted a significant influence on the Yangzhou School of Painting. Shitao attained a wonderful versatility in his paintings, which are characterised by vigorous and powerful images with an extraordinary degree of individuality.

This hanging scroll is primarily painted using wet ink to depict a scene of a stream with willows along its banks. Ink dots of various tones are scattered in size and location, an effect that creates a moist and misty atmosphere that is typical of Shitao's style. Like many of his other paintings, this work suggests the forthrightness of Shitao's character that finds expression in his vigorous and bold brushwork.

Boating on a willow stream_Shitao.png

Boating on a willow stream

Born to an impoverished family in Fujian province, Hua Yan, also known as Xinluo Shanren, settled in Yangzhou, where he earned his living as a professional painter and a reputation as one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. Fond of drawing on the heritage of the old masters, his early figure paintings were influenced by the style of Chen Hongshou, but his style changed when he turned to painting as a professional career.

This painting of two scholars versifying and drinking tea in the shade of a tree demonstrates Hua's sophisticated style. The figures of the scholars and the servant are painted with smooth lines reminiscent of the style of Chen Hongshou. In depicting the scholars versifying, Hua not only portrays the physical appearance of the figures but also captures their lofty spirit; because of their important status, the two scholars are depicted larger than the servant, even though he occupies a more prominent position in the painting. The rock in the foreground is painted using the lanyemiao method (orchid leaf stroke) derived from Ma Hezhi's style. By painting the trees with different foliage in a verdant environment, Hua created a lyrical atmosphere ideal for the presentation of versifying scholars.

Scene of refined scholars chanting poetry_Hua Yan.png

Two Scholars Versifying

The above objects are traditional Chinese landscape (shanshui) paintings and portraits. 

Can you tell the differences between those and Chu’s works? What are the artistic expressions? 

Video Viewing and appreciation

Resource Kit Overview

Let’s explore and practice before making your Chinese painting. 

Exploring the Visual Effects on Xuan Paper

Your Art-making Activity: Chinese Painting

Artist Introduction

Based on the HKMoA collection, this series, ‘In Touch with Hong Kong Artists’, provides education materials and activity sets designed with the aim to raise the interest in artists and art and culture in Hong Kong. In this resource kit, Chu Hing-wah will be introduced.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

In Touch with Hong Kong Artists: Chu Hing-wah

Video Viewing and appreciation