[Hong Kong, August 2024] The concepts of entrance and exit are inherently interwoven and relative. The act of leaving one space is simultaneously the act of entering another, mirroring the transition of university graduates from the academic realm to the broader society, embarking on fresh journeys. Creativity, too, embodies this dual sense of direction, whether gravitating towards detachment from worldly affairs or engagement with them. Traditional literati paintings often convey a sense of detachment; however, whether the artist seeks a utopian seclusion or embraces worldly involvement, the essence lies in their perception of the mundane world, differentiated only by the direction of that perception. Amidst the pandemic, the artwork of local art graduates was often tinged with a contemplative melancholy. In contrast, this year’s graduates seem to have shifted their focus towards a more pronounced engagement with their communities.
Contemporary By Angela Li is honored to present the group exhibition “inoutside,” curated by Leung Shiu Kee Eric, running from August 15 to September 7, 2024. This exhibition showcases the works of eight recently graduated young artists, each exploring various facets of human existence through their unique perspectives and artistic styles. The featured artists include Chau Tsz Ching Kathy, Cheung Ching Ling Oychir, Chow Hoi Yung Jennifer, Chung Chun Kau, Ho Wing Wa Ernest, Lo Wai Ching Rachel, To Yan King Jenny, and Yeung Nga Fei Alice, who each offer distinct reflections on diverse subjects.
Cheung Ching Ling Oychir, a graduate of the Hong Kong Art School, uses vibrant ceramics to satirize the social dilemmas faced by recent graduates. Ho Wing Wa Ernest, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, portrays the complex dynamics between the powerful and the dominated in his oil painting “Meat Shop,” offering a reflection on the current state of human existence. Chau Tsz Ching Kathy, from the Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Visual Arts, explores social relationships through the interaction of half-human, half-beast figures in her horse-headed human body painting series. Chung Chun Kau, also from Hong Kong Baptist University, challenges conventional notions by depicting charming ceramic cats adorned with gangster tattoos.
The exhibition also includes works that use scenic depictions to express transcendent ideas. Lo Wai Ching Rachel, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, paints traces of human presence in the absence of people, creating an “escape space” within tense living environments. To Yan King Jenny, from Hong Kong Baptist University, conveys a love-hate relationship with the sky through the perspective of observing it from within a building in her large painting “Haven.” Yeung Nga Fei Alice, also from Hong Kong Baptist University, presents “Daily Romance,” a series of mineral pigment paintings portraying commonplace objects in various settings, evoking a sense of personal, everyday romance. Finally, Chow Hoi Yung Jennifer, from Hong Kong Art School, in her painting “Wonderland,” depicts her two cats living leisurely in a pure land, reflecting a deep yearning for tranquility within our society.
This exhibition invites viewers to explore the interconnectedness of entrance and exit, detachment and engagement, as seen through the eyes of the next generation of artists.
