WHAT
Curated by Joyce Wong Hei-ting, the exhibition is an ode to Chan (1905-1995) who is widely regarded as Hong Kong’s pioneer of modern art. The beginning of his career was marked by vivid watercolour paintings, which granted him the title of ‘King of Watercolour’. Later, he developed a more distinct style by transcending traditional artistic genres, producing mostly imaginative and colourful works that depicted dream-like and whimsical scenes. In this exhibition, paintings from the 1950s to the 1980s are presented, and are categorised into four chapters – ‘The Artist and the Critic’, ‘Hong Kong Through the Looking Glass’, ‘Luis in Artland’, and ‘Vision is a Many-Splendored Thing’.

WHY
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. Divided into four chapters, the presentation lets audiences explore Chan’s different visual expressions, presenting his kaleidoscopic creative trajectory, inviting audiences onto his fantastical stage. This exhibition is also particularly special because of new archival materials and a long overdue institutional monograph.