MusiCLAY

Organised by St. James’ Creation under the Rehabilitation Services of St. James’ Settlement, the brand new exhibition MusiCLAY will be launched at the St. James’ Creation Gallery in Wan Chai from 5 November to 19 November 2024. The exhibition brings together 17 interdisciplinary artists who creatively integrate elements of ceramics and music to create an unprecedented sensory stage. The exhibition breaks through traditional artistic boundaries, showcasing a series of playful and experimental works that provide the public with an inspiring visual and auditory experience.

The exhibition consists of three main themes, each challenging and expanding the audience’s understanding of the possibilities of ceramic art through the fusion of sound and matter, exploring more space for creativity and expression. The venue will also transform into a performance stage, where audiences can not only interact with the artworks and create music but also immerse themselves in an environment of melodies and rhythms, and commemorate the experience.

Evolution of the ‘Our Stories’ Series: MusiCLAY

MusiCLAY is a sub-project of the community art programme ‘Our Stories’. This programme has been curated by St. James’ Creation since 2017. It is a ceramic art creation platform designed specifically for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. By 2024, the programme has officially entered the third chapter of its series, connecting the public through community art and exhibition activities. This year, the programme is sponsored by the C. C. Wu Cultural & Education Foundation Fund. Additionally, St. James’ Settlement is financially supported by the Springboard Grant under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, further promoting and developing the ‘Our Stories’ programme within the community. Cheryl Cheung, Project Director and Senior Manager of Rehabilitation Services at St. James’ Settlement, stated, ‘Through the “Our Stories” series of programmes, people from all walks of life can witness the artistic growth of the “C-Fu-Jai”. Various obstacles do not prevent them from using community art to become drivers of society.’

The name MusiCLAY encapsulates the innovative fusion of music and ceramic arts, highlighting the creative interplay between auditory and tactile experiences. It suggests a playful yet profound exploration of sound and form, where clay is transformed into both a visual and musical canvas, inviting participants to engage with art in a dynamically interactive way. Through a series of activities, we hope to engage the audience to ‘Play Music, Play Clay’, thereby reawakening and activating every sense.