Over 40 paintings in a smorgasbord of styles, including impressionism, cubism and traditional Chinese brush painting, are on display now in CityU's Multi-Purpose Room C from 21 to 25 May. Organized by the Cultural and Sports Committee, the exhibition unveils not only works of art by Mr Chiang Hau Fun, but also the artist's love of Hong Kong.
Mr Chiang is a versatile painter whose oeuvre comprises mainly recent still lifes, landscapes and nudes powerfully rendered, whether in oil, watercolour or acrylic. He likens his use of contrasting styles to his love of various kinds of delicacies. "I enjoy the process of creating different visual forms. My work is not confined by a particular school, instead feeling is the most important thing," he
declares. True to his word, his VictoriaHarbour paintings, completed on the spot, reflect his sentiments about changes in Hong Kong before and after 1997. Depictions of the historic Clock Tower at Tsimshatsui and of KowloonPark, among other landscapes, portray the artist's affection for his home of the last several years.
Mr Chiang was born in Shanghai, where he devoted himself to painting while still a teenager. Having received traditional western art training from Mr Chen Qiucao, the then President of the Shanghai Art Museum, he spent more than 30 years studying art and developed his own style in Chinese painting and calligraphy. Then, about 10 years ago, Mr Chiang moved to Hong Kong and felt inspired by the meeting of east and west in the cosmopolis. Once again he began to employ western styles of painting. "Hong Kong is a beautiful place." he explains, "Here artists have lots of room to paint and express themselves through different forms of art."
Presently employed as an art and calligraphy teacher in the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, he encourages young people to learn drawing and pay more attention to the foundation skills of art.
"Mr Chiang's paintings fully reflect his passion for art," comments Mr Eric Chang, Associate Director of Finance and member of The Cultural and Sports Committee. The Cultural and Sports Committee is committed to enriching the spiritual and physical development of the university community and Mr Chang, himself a lover of art and flower arrangement, is in charge of inviting arti
sts to hold exhibitions on campus. This exhibition is certainly a breath of fresh air to staff and students as the SARS threat retreats.
"Paintings by Chiang Hau Fun" is open to all from to daily until 25 May, in Multi-Purpose Room C, 4/F, AmenitiesBuilding.
