Wong Chuk Hang Blink Art Gallery | Kwan Ka Leung (Calligraphy Ka) Solo Exhibition - 《A Moment Not Forgotten》

Description

In recent years, many Hongers have emigrated and faced unfamiliar environments and continuous dispersion. Art has become a means of expression and connection between them. Curated by Chi Leung Gallery, Hong Kong artist Kwan Ka Leung (Calligraphy Ka), who has emigrated to Australia, will return to Hong Kong in February to hold a solo exhibition, 《A Moment Not Forgotten》. During his time abroad, Kwan Ka Leung personally experienced the bewilderment of Hongers facing a new life, and this exhibition not only presents his recent creations but also hopes to provide a warm encouragement to Hongers. His artistic style combines Chinese ink painting and calligraphy, and his free-flowing brushstrokes capture familiar scenes of Hong Kong, such as red minibuses, ferries, and trams, transforming them into warm and nostalgic images. His works also incorporate small animals commonly found in his daily life in Australia.

Curatorial Statement: Seeing Contemporary Life Through Ink

This exhibition is curated by Chi Leung Gallery. The gallery's founder, ink painter Chan Chi Kwan, has been dedicated to curating solo exhibitions for local and overseas artists, showcasing their personal creative ideas and the life experiences behind their works. She has been following Kwan Ka Leung's work and appreciates his unique style that blends ink painting, calligraphy, and urban life observations, breaking free from traditional constraints. Therefore, she invited him back to Hong Kong for this solo exhibition.

Preserving Cantonese and Ink Culture Through Art in a Foreign Land

Kwan Ka Leung was introduced to the world of ink art by his father, Kwan Po Kwai, at the age of five, starting with paper rubbing. He has participated in numerous art exhibitions, including the Hong Kong Affordable Art Fair, and founded 'Mustard Seed' gift design. During the initial period of his emigration to Australia, he worked on a farm for six months, but the unfamiliar language, culture, and lifestyle left him disoriented. Later, he noticed that many local Chinese children could not write Chinese characters, so he decided to use simple calligraphy and ink painting to help them reconnect with the language. He converted his home garage into a small studio and began teaching calligraphy and painting in the local community, sharing snippets of Hong Kong life, ink culture, and the beauty of traditional Chinese characters.

Finding Inspiration in the Everyday

Kwan Ka Leung recalls that the master of the Lingnan School of Painting, Zhao Shao'ang, once praised his talent but also lamented that he had chosen the wrong path. For many years, he couldn't fully understand the meaning behind these words until he dedicated himself to art for decades. He shares that creation requires not only inspiration but also space and stable living conditions. Hong Kong's fast-paced lifestyle, unstable income for full-time artists, and limited living space often result in a constant drain of inspiration, making it challenging to balance creation and storage. However, creating in such an environment has inadvertently trained him to capture inspiration quickly and complete his works within limited time frames, cherishing every fleeting moment. He expresses, 'My inspiration comes from observing every moment of life. Each scene is fleeting and ever-changing, which resonates with the nature of ink art - every brushstroke is unique and irreversible, leaving no room for regret. The ability to adjust one's mindset to accept and enjoy the process is what makes life and ink art captivating.' This realization became the core of this exhibition, 《A Moment Not Forgotten》.

Artworks Evoking Hong Kong Nostalgia

Unlike traditional ink paintings, Kwan Ka Leung's works are vibrant and modern, breaking free from conventions. The pieces displayed in this exhibition draw from his recent life experiences. One can find memories of Hong Kong in his paintings: red minibuses navigating through streets, trams traveling along their tracks, and poignant scenes of bidding farewell to friends and family emigrating during the pandemic. These city moments not only reflect his recollections of Hong Kong but also serve as a reminder for Hongers to appreciate the little happiness in life. After relocating to Australia, his works expanded to include nature and its small creatures, capturing their fleeting presence on paper as another form of documenting his life abroad. Additionally, some pieces incorporate calligraphy, featuring short and direct sentences that serve as self-expression and a source of companionship for the stressed Hong Kongers. The exhibition also includes a piece commemorating the tragic fire in Wang Tau Hom Estate, capturing a moment of Hongers supporting each other in the face of disaster. Some of the works exhibited here will also be presented at the Affordable Art Fair in May.

A First-Time Collaborative Creation by Three Generations

The exhibition features a unique piece created by Kwan Ka Leung and his family across three generations. Influenced by his father, Kwan Ka Leung started practicing calligraphy at a young age, while his mother is also passionate about ink painting, and his daughter, Christy, is currently studying art in Australia. This collaborative work celebrates the joy of family reunions and embraces the theme of smiling through separations. Despite living overseas and being separated by distance, their joint creation leaves a precious and unique record of their family bond.

Expression Corner Encourages Visitors to Create Ink Paintings

The exhibition offers multiple interactive elements for visitor engagement. An 'Expression Corner' is set up for visitors to freely express their feelings and emotions through ink and brush, allowing them to create their own artworks. On designated dates (February 8, 13, and 14, 3-4 pm), Kwan Ka Leung will be present to interact with the visitors, providing guidance and creating unique pieces together. In the spirit of the upcoming Lunar New Year, limited-edition horse-themed couplets will be distributed for free on weekends during the exhibition, with a maximum of one per person, while supplies last. A customized handwritten couplet service is also available for HKD $100, and visitors must be present at the gallery.

Free admission, please make a reservation (welcome to inquire by phone or WhatsApp at 5112 9521; online registration is also available at https://bit.ly/4jIxIrj)