Oil Street Art Space exhibits creative ceramic artworks

The Oil Street Art Space (Oi!) launched the Archaic Curator Series in 2022 and has invited Chinese art historians and curators to collaborate on exhibitions that engage with traditional Chinese art through innovative forms of expression, bridging the old and the new. The third exhibition of the series, "Archaic Curator Series: The Charm of Colour - Travel with Ceramics through Time and Space", will be held from tomorrow (Sept. 26) until Jan. 31 next year at Oi! Glassie to showcase creative ceramic artworks.

The guest curator and Associate Curator (Antiquities) of the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Dr. Wang Guanyu, invited three artists from Jingdezhen and Hong Kong - Gu Yue, Fiona Wong and Caroline Cheng - to participate in the exhibition. Inspired by the CUHK Art Museum's collection, the three artists infuse their own technical artistry and aesthetics into their works to showcase their personal understanding and interpretation of contemporary ceramic art.

Jingdezhen, also known as the millennium porcelain capital, is renowned for its rich ceramic heritage. Gu Yue, a graduate of Jingdezhen Ceramic University, draws inspiration from flowers and nature to express the vibrant spirit of the new generation of ceramic artists. His works skillfully blend traditional molding and decorative techniques with contemporary aesthetics.

Fiona Wong, who focuses on exploring soil and studying Hong Kong's culture, draws inspiration from the stories surrounding Nam Koo Terrace, a century-old mansion in Wan Chai. Her artwork comprises a set of 3D-printed containers modeled on the patterned tiles of Nam Koo Terrace and an assembly of ceramic tiles recomposing a historical map of Wan Chai, to guide visitors to uncover the narratives behind contemporary urban development.

Artist Caroline Cheng and her team have developed a method to upcycle ceramic waste into malleable clay, challenging the conventional perceptions of ceramics. Visitors to the exhibition can admire her latest works, crafted from this sustainable material.

There are different public engagement programs in this exhibition. In the "A Tour to Travel with Ceramics through Time and Space" guided tour, docents will lead visitors to explore the two exhibitions at Oi! and the CUHK Art Museum. An education gallery will be set up at G/F Oi! Glassie.

During the exhibition period, staff members will act as lab technicians and guide visitors to discover the secrets of ceramic production in a lively and interesting way. In addition, visitors can select a special ceramic color in the Ceramic Colour Exploration Zone to create a personalized postcard to take home as a cherished souvenir.

During the exhibition period, the CUHK Art Museum will also showcase "Amazing Clay: Masterpieces from the Ceramic Collection of CUHK Art Museum" to enrich visitors' appreciation of the beauty of traditional Chinese ceramics."Archaic Curator Series: The Charm of Colour - Travel with Ceramics through Time and Space" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the CUHK, and organized by Oi! and the Art Museum of CUHK.

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