Flagship exhibition
December 10, 2022–January 18, 2023
Initiated and empowered by Ms Cissy Pao. Supported by Luis Trust.
Presenter: Hong Kong Arts Centre
Guest Curator: Joyce Wong Hei-ting
Encounter the colourful spirit of Luis Chan on the fantastical stage.
Luis Chan (1905-1995) is widely regarded as Hong Kong’s pioneer of modern art. Chan was known for his exquisitely-drawn realistic landscape paintings in watercolour at the beginning of Chan’s artistic career, earning a reputation as the “King of Watercolour.” Later, Chan’s works were mostly imaginative and colourful, depicting dreamlike scenes with whimsy. Developing his distinct artistic style, Chan transcended any genres of art and culture. Chan’s works are matched by an equally vibrant personality.
Coinciding with the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s 45th anniversary, this flagship exhibition explores Chan’s art and legacy in a thematic survey that highlights the artist’s perceptive portrayal of daily urban drama and identity, his love of narrative and storytelling, and his uplifting spirit throughout the tumultuous 20th century.
This exhibition is divided into four chapters—“The Artist and the Critic’, “Hong Kong Through the Looking Glass,” “Luis in Artland,” and “Vision is a Many-Splendoured Thing”—featuring Chan’s paintings from 1950s to 1980s where different visual expressions can be discovered in different state of creation. The exhibition presents Chan’s kaleidoscopic creative trajectory, inviting the audience to the fantastical stage of Luis Chan.
This exhibition provides an opportunity to enrich extant research on the artist with new archival materials and a long overdue institutional monograph since the artist’s passing.
Discover more about Luis Chan at Hong Kong Arts Centre.
Luis Chan Studio
Hong Kong Arts Centre launched the 5-year project Luis Chan Studio in May 2022, with the Studio showcasing his living environment and the setting when he was still alive and drawing, allowing the audience to gain an in-depth understanding of Luis Chan’s creations and his artistic world.
Luis Chan, also known as the “King of Watercolour,” is a local legendary artist and is significant in Hong Kong art history. He lived in a home studio located at Lockhart Road in Wan Chai before—in that apartment, he drew numerous paintings. Streetscape of Wan Chai and nearby stores cultivated his inspiration. His artworks are traces of the past and rich in local characteristics. Taking reference from Luis Chan’s home studio at Lockhart Road in Wan Chai, Luis Chan Studio features Chan’s personal belongings, such as furniture, paintings, and books relocated from his studio. Visitors can glimpse Chan’s creative space of the old days through the glass window. And through understanding the meanings behind some of the displayed items, visitors can further explore different traits of Chan. It is hoped that the Studio can provide the public with an alternative visual experience and a deeper understanding of Chan’s life. More historical photos and written records about Chan are showcased to guide the audience through his artistic journey and development of styles, reflecting on important traces of Hong Kong art history.
About Luis Chan Studio
Date: On view until May 2027
Time: 8am–11pm
Venue: 4/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
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