In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Sun Museum proudly presents "Sun Delight: Colors of the Universe," featuring 120 exquisite jade and color stone carvings from the Little Moon Pavilion and Songde Tang collections. The exhibition will be open from today until July 6, 2025, showcasing artifacts that span from the Song dynasty to the early to mid-20th century.
"Colors of the Universe" highlights various materials, including white jade, agate, amber, amethyst, and turquoise. The collection features items from small handheld pendants to larger decorative art pieces, with some exhibits displayed on their original wooden stands, which themselves are intricate works of art.
The art of Chinese colored stone carvings has ancient roots, with significant developments during the Han and Tang dynasties, reaching its zenith in the Qing dynasty. Among the highlights is a Northern Song dynasty agate cup shaped like a flower, notable for its vibrant orange-red color and dark circular patterns. Another significant piece is a turquoise figure of a boy holding a sheng, representing cultural exchange during the Qing dynasty.
Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty played a vital role in promoting the arts and recruiting skilled craftsmen to create remarkable jade and stone carvings. Noteworthy pieces from this era include an Imperial round jade cup featuring a classic design with intricate carvings of hibiscus and osmanthus blossoms alongside imperial poems. This piece exemplifies the rare integration of carving, painting, and poetry in Qing dynasty art.
To complement the exhibition, Sun Museum is launching "Sun Refresh," featuring new works by local artist John Wong, inspired by the rich history of the artifacts displayed in "Colours of the Universe." The museum will also host community engagement activities, including the "Sun Artroom," "Sun Classroom," and "Sun Playroom," promoting interaction through painting demonstrations, talks, and workshops.
In DotDotNews reporters' conversation with the director of Sun Museum, Dr. Lesley Lau, we asked why the current exhibition does not feature the government's Art March activities, which are related to modern art, but instead focus on exhibitions of ancient jade and crystal artifacts. Dr. Lau mentioned that there has been an innovative forward-thinking approach since the museum's relocation.
According to Dr. Lau, the museum rethinks the connection between ancient products and contemporary artists. The museum's annual plan designates March as the time for the most grand and exciting exhibitions, emphasizing that the quality of the artworks is exceptional and maintains a cohesive connection. They are confident in their ability to continually attract audiences and indicated that future plans might include specific themes, inviting artists to submit works or participate in lectures and discussions.
John Wong, a Hong Kong native born in 1951, combines innovative ink techniques with traditional brushwork. He earned diplomas in Chinese Landscape Painting from The University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Wong has showcased his art internationally and has received several accolades, including the Gold Medal at the French Mondial Artistique competition in 2022, First Place in the Global Art Competition at Artist Space Gallery in the USA in 2022, and the Golden Brush Award at the Malaysia International Online Juried Painting Competition in 2022. His artworks are held in collections by private collectors and museums.
When asked about his favorite artwork, he said, "Each piece represents a unique concept, and I value them all. If I had to highlight one significant breakthrough, it would be this piece titled 'The Earth Before the Earth's Crust Had Fully Solidified.' I employed a relief technique, integrating tree branches into the painting. In the early stages of creation, when the waters were still unstable, I aimed to convey a sense of something in the formation process. The piece also reflects the many treasures bestowed upon us by God, drawing on the theme of fairytales. Thus, I see this work as my breakthrough."
Exhibition Details
- Dates: March 20 to July 6, 2025
- Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays and public holidays)
- Venue: Sun Museum, G/F & 1/F, Artisan House, 1 Sai Yuen Lane, Sai Ying Pun
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