A Legacy of Ink: Lui Shou-Kwan 40 Years On @ Alisan Fine Arts

Intrinsically linked to the milieu of post-war Hong Kong art and culture, scholars have credited Lui Shou-kwan with the establishment of New Ink Painting Movement, “a movement that has had far-reaching influence on modern and contemporary ink art.” The late art historian Michael Sullivan wrote that “what makes Lui Shou-kwan so important can, I believe, be summed up in three factors… he developed a style quite independent of the dominant Lingnan School painters; his sheer creative energy and power to inspire others; and the fact that, more perhaps than any other artist of his time, he created an artistic identity for Hong Kong, and so contributed enormously to the birth of a rich cultural life that Hong Kong enjoys today.”

Curated by Daphne King, Director of Alisan Fine Arts, this exhibition presents works from the Lui Shou-kwan’s family’s private collection, offering examples from throughout his artistic career, beginning with Hong Kong semi-abstract landscapes, scenes of boats and culminating in his renowned abstract Zen paintings.

In particular it is our hope to examine the discursive and wide ranging influences Lui Shou-kwan’s legacy left behind. We will feature works by 12 of Lui’s hundreds of students, specifically the “group of students who became the cornerstone of the Hong Kong arts scene” and who were inspired by Lui Shou-kwan. Included are Eddie Cheung Shu-sang, Cheung Shu-sun, Irene Chou, Chui Tze-hung, Pat Hui, Kan Tai-keung, Koo Mei, Lee Ching-man, Leung Kui-ting, Poon Chun-wah, Laurence Tam and Wucius Wong. Another focus is how these artists “in turn passed on their knowledge and accomplishments to the next generation of students” from this new generation we have selected eight artists from CUHK, where Lui taught, the Hong Kong Arts Centre, and several new emerging artists. Included are, Cheuk Ka-wai, Cherie, Ho Kwun-ting, Hung Keung, Kassia Ko, Lau Hok-shing, CC Ling Pui-sze, Wang Xu, Stanley Wong (anothermountainman)

Additionally a photographic selection of ephemera, including letters, photographs and diaries from the Lui Shou-kwan archive will be on view for the first time.