Folding Fan Art from the Jingguanlou Collection

Description

Hong Kong Museum of Art’s Fantastic Breeze: Selected Fans from the Jingguanlou Collection celebrates the artistry and cultural refinement of Chinese folding fans through exquisite works from the Jingguanlou Collection, generously donated by local connoisseur Leo Wong Kwai‑kuen. Praised for their elegance and portability, folding fans evolved from practical accessories into sophisticated art forms cherished by the imperial court and literati. Their painted surfaces became intimate spaces for artistic and spiritual expression, reflecting the poetic sensibility and aesthetic ideals of Chinese culture.

Presented in two phases, the exhibition showcases over 150 folding fans and fan leaves, revealing the ingenuity and refined craftsmanship of modern Chinese artists, complemented by Chinese paintings from the museum collection.

The Jingguanlou Collection stands as one of the most significant gifts to the Hong Kong Museum of Art, encompassing more than 1,000 works of 20th century Chinese painting and calligraphy. Distinguished by an especially rich selection of folding fans and fan leaves dating from the late Qing period to the modern era, the collection features diverse subjects by celebrated artists like the legendary Zhang Daqian.

Alongside this exhibition, two other concurrent shows feature at the museum during this period including Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship Thematic Exhibition Series: Wu Guanzhong: Encountering Landscapes and Mini-figures in Paintings.