Culminating in its 40th year celebrations,【The Hong Kong Arts Centre】(HKAC) is delighted to present Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense, an exhibition that explores and celebrates Hong Kong’s cultural and artistic identity as seen through the lens of one of Hong Kong’s most iconic city districts, Wan Chai. Curated by guest curator Valerie C. Doran and the HKAC curatorial team, the exhibition will be held at Pao Galleries, HKAC from Sunday 30 September to Sunday 4 November 2018.
 
 “Since its foundation 40 years ago, the Hong Kong Arts Centre has fostered artistic exchange, forging connections between the arts of Hong Kong and the rest of the world through a wide range of programmes and collaborations. Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense is both a continuation and celebration of that heritage, and presents a new perspective that forms urban cultural identities,” says Connie Lam, Executive Director of the HKAC. 
 
Hong Kong has been uniquely shaped by a crucible of economic, political, ethnic and cultural influences, resulting in a vastly diverse heritage and identity, which is in turn made up of and influenced by the localised personalities of distinct districts within the city. The exhibiting works in Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense look at the bonds formed across generations, multiple languages and artistic genres that establish community and a love of place. The exhibition has been curated to examine personal, historical, and experiential responses to Wan Chai and features works by 18 artists local to Hong Kong, or intricately connected through international ties to the city. The exhibited works also explore the role Wan Chai plays in forming Hong Kong’s artistic identity, and its image in the eyes of both local and international audiences.
 
“Though varied in their responses, each of the artists presented in Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense shares an interest in the idea of place and how this is formed by individual interactions, past, present and future. The dialogue generated between the works opens doors to a new, more layered understanding of Wan Chai as a historical space, a cultural hub and a centre for community engagement,” Says Valerie C. Doran, exhibition guest curator.
 
During the exhibition period, Thematic tours around Wan Chai will be arranged and will narrate the history of the area, illustrating connections between the district and the artworks presented in Wan Chai Grammatica: Past, Present, Future Tense. Art Experience Workshops will shed new light on the district’s past, present and future, as well as the history of the HKAC as a cultural hub that has consistently over 40 years generated artistic dialogue. Programming will also include a Film Showcase on Wan Chai for audiences to experience the district's charm in a cinematic dimension. Creators and artists who are fans of these films will also talk about how their works have been influenced by Wan Chai.

Venue: Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Date: 30 September – 4 November 2018
Time: Monday to Sunday, 10am – 8pm
Programme Enquiries: 2582 0200/hkac@hkac.org.hk
Free Admission
 
Guest Curator: Valerie C. Doran (Hong Kong; b. USA)
Featured Artists:  Gaylord Chan (Hong Kong), Luis Chan (Hong Kong; b. Panama), Choi Yan Chi (Hong Kong), Chu Hing Wah (Hong Kong; b. Guangdong), Mark Chung (Hong Kong; b. New Zealand), Xyza Cruz Bacani (Hong Kong; b. The Philippines), Ho Sin Tung (Hong Kong), South Ho Siu Nam (Hong Kong), Phoebe Hui (Hong Kong), Firenze Lai (Hong Kong), Jaffa Lam (Hong Kong; b. Fujian), Leung Mee Ping (Hong Kong), MAP Office (Laurent Gutierrez and Valerie Portefaix, Hong Kong; b. France), Cédric Maridet (Hong Kong; b. France), N. S. Harsha (India), Frank Tang Kai Yiu (Hong Kong), Yeung Tong Lung (Hong Kong; b. Fujian), Trevor Yeung (Hong Kong; b. Guangdong)
 
Presenter: Hong Kong Arts Centre
Donors: CL3 Architects Ltd.; Mr. Nelson Leong; Mr. Bryant LU, JP; Trevor & Dominica Yang
Supported by: Hong Kong Arts Development Council
 
High-resolution images can be downloaded here:
Link: http://gallery.sinclaircomms.com/
Password: talkofthetown

For the latest programme details, please visit: 
http://www.hkac.org.hk/en/calendar.php?c=1&t=a&p=1&id=2319
 

Hong Kong Arts Centre - The relevant destination for arts and creative inspirations in Hong Kong
HKAC is a multi-arts centre that fosters artistic exchanges locally and internationally, bringing the most forward creations to Hong Kong and showcasing homegrown talents abroad. HKAC stimulates innovation and promotes creativity. Being Hong Kong’s only independent non-profit multi-arts institution, HKAC offers exhibitions, screenings and performances, connecting the arts of Hong Kong to the rest of the world through programmes and collaborations. Come to HKAC to experience, appreciate, learn and be inspired by arts.
Official website: hkac.org.hk | Facebook: Hong Kong Arts Centre | Instagram: @hongkongartscentre

Photo Captions:
2. Luis Chan, Untitled (Fantasy Landscape with Undersea Mountains), 1977, 98 x 71.5 cm, Ink and Colour on Paper. Image courtesy of Hanart TZ Gallery
3. Choi Yan Chi, Beyond, 2018, dimension variable, mixed media installation. Photo courtesy of the artist and Lau Ching Ping
4. Firenze Lai, Here and There, 2010, 29.7x21cm, Graphite on paper. Image courtesy of the artist
5. Trevor Yeung, Monument of my Chico, 2018, dimension variable, Feather of Peach-faced Lovebird, Calatheas, Planter, soil, Construction fence. Photo courtesy of the artist

Media Contacts:
For more information, please contact Sinclair at (852) 2915 1234:
Sheriza Wadhwani    |    sheriza@sinclaircomms.com   | (852) 9128 8151
Ridley Cheung          |     ridley@sinclaircomms.com     | (852) 6689 2966