As the Lead Partner of Art Central, UOB presents Interwoven: Wired Shanshui, a large-scale interactive ink art installation by Hong Kong contemporary Chinese ink artist Margaret Yeung at their UOB Art Central Space from 22 to 25 March at the Hong Kong Convention Exhibition Centre.

Commissioned by UOB, the installation is made of recycled copper wires and natural waste wood. Reinterpreting traditional Chinese aesthetics, it transforms the conventional viewing experience of a two-dimensional landscape painting into a three-dimensional contemporary shanshui sculpture. Shanshui, meaning “mountain-water”, traditionally refers to a style of Chinese painting that involves natural landscapes, as a spiritual and conceptual space.

Having spent months collecting her raw materials, Yeung dedicated hours upon hours to delicately twist and bend the oxidised copper wires, exuding the same effect as painting lines with a brush dipped in Chinese ink. The upcycling of wood, remnants of typhoons past, resemble hills and mountains from a distance, as if drawn from a classical shanshui literati painting. The myriad colours of the copper wires are a result of variations in oxidation and  humidity, emblematic of the of the four seasons landscapes.

Interwoven in harmony, the contrasting materials are connecting the past, present, and future of traditional Chinese aesthetics, whilst highlighting the progress of sustainability and environmental protection.

Through UOB’s mentorship initiatives, Yeung also collaborated with Guo Yin Kam, a student winner of the UOB Art in Ink Awards, to create an interactive digital installation, featuring drawings from Guo as well as animated elements from Yeung’s digital ink paintings. Changing in response to visitors’ movements, the artwork  invites the audience to interact with the installation and to contemplate the harmony between man, nature and art.

Margaret Yeung (right) & Guo Yin Kam (left)

As a leading patron of art in Asia, UOB is committed to supporting and driving the sustainable development of arts. In its 7th edition of partnership with Art Central, UOB features a range of art projects around the theme of sustainability, from three perspectives: environment, education, as well as diversity and inclusion.

In addition to Yeung and Guo’s installations, UOB presents the debut of their UOB Art Explorer, a Chinese ink art experience corner to introduce the public to the development of contemporary Chinese ink art.

On 25 March 2023 from 3 to 4pm, UOB will also host a panel discussion in Cantonese, featuring four speakers: Mr Calvin Hui, Co-founder and Chairman of 3812 Gallery and Founder of Ink Now; Dr Sarah Ng, Curator of the Hong Kong University Museum & Art Gallery; Dr Chloe Suen, Chair of Simon Suen Foundation, Founder of Sun Museum and Dr Margaret Yeung, Contemporary Chinese ink artist and creator of Interwoven: Wired Shanshui. They will share their personal experiences and reflections about Chinese ink art and the spiritual and philosophical explorations of ink as an art form.  

Aiming to build a multi-generational team, UOB has also invited young and retiree professionals as its booth ambassadors. This initiative is part of the Bank’s effort to demonstrate diversity and inclusiveness while creating a vibrant community where contribution and connection are not limited by age. 

The UOB Art Space also displays the 2022 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners’ Showcase. One of the highlights is Melting Glacier by Christine Lee, who received the UOB Ink Art of the Year Award. Her artwork shows a polar bear standing on a shrinking land of ice, reminding us how important it is to reduce our carbon footprint.

Mrs Christine Ip, CEO – Greater China, UOB (right) and Hong Kong contemporary Chinese ink artist Margaret Yeung (left)

More about Margaret Yeung

Born in Hong Kong, Margaret Kwok Fan Yeung graduated from the Fine Arts Department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1985, then she successively received a Master of Fine Art at the RMIT University in Australia and a Doctorate degree from the same university. She is now the Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong Modern Chinese Ink Painting Society.

Margaret Yeung creates her artwork through digital coding from the Chinese keyboard. She generates the “crackled wall texture stroke” by computer software, demonstrating the destruction of Chinese culture in the Computer Age.

By means of integrating Chinese painting with computer technology, she has committed herself to exploring for the “hybridity” and “harmoniousness” between them.

More details about Art Central 2023 HERE.