Palette of a Centenarian: Selected Works of Zhu Qizhan from the Jingguanlou Collection

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Hong Kong Museum of Art was honoured to receive an abundant collection of 20th-century Chinese painting and calligraphy from local collector Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen in late 2021. Marking the commencement of HKMoA’s 60th anniversary this year, the exhibition showcases around 180 original works of art from the Jingguanlou Collection that were completed by Zhu Qizhan (1892 – 1996) at different times in his life and that illustrate the artistic excellence that this virtuoso of the Shanghai School achieved over 100 years.

The exhibition explores the colour application approach behind Zhu’s robust brushstrokes in the context of the reform of Chinese painting in the 20th century. As this year marks the artist’s 130th birthday, it also takes a retrospective look at his long journey as a painter. Beginning with Zhu’s aesthetic philosophy and practice of fine art, it retraces his eventful life, his century-long painting career and his artistic connection with the owner of the Zhanyuantang Collection, a friendship that spanned nearly half a century and that developed from their first encounters into deep mutual affection and respect.