HK artists exhibit Lingnan paintings at CUHK-Shenzhen

Step away from the fast-paced rhythm of daily life and immerse yourself in the beauty of Lingnan-style paintings on display at the Gravity Field Art Gallery at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen).

The “Rhythmic Vitality and Benevolent Heart” exhibition, curated by Wei Xiangqi, features 62 Lingnan-style paintings created by Ng Yuet-lau and her son Chiu Wai-yan Philip, both of whom are from Hong Kong. 

The entrance to the Gravity Field Art Gallery at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) in Longgang District. Photos by Cao Zhen unless otherwise stated

The Lingnan School of painting, originating from the Lingnan region of southern China, is a distinctive art movement that emerged in the early 20th century. It blends traditional Chinese painting techniques with Western influences, creating a unique style that emphasizes bold colors, dynamic brushwork, and innovative compositions.

Ng studied painting under masters Zhao Shao’ang and Huang Junbi in the 1970s and 1980s, and was also influenced by Zhang Daqian’s ink and color style. After refining her brushwork for over 50 years and incorporating her sketching experiences, she has developed a style uniquely her own. 

Ng Yuet-lau during an interview at CUHK-Shenzhen.

A visitor walks past Ng Yuet-lau’s painting at the exhibition.

Her brushwork conveys both delicacy and vast profundity through the use of splashed ink and color. Ng’s use of purple and golden hues — rare in traditional landscape paintings — creates a dreamlike atmosphere in her landscape paintings.

In some of her flower-and-bird paintings featured in the exhibition, viewers will notice that vibrant flowers and leaves are set against dark backgrounds, which is uncommon in traditional Lingnan flower-and-bird paintings. Ng explained that the dark backdrop represents night scenes. This innovative use of darkness adds depth and mystery, offering a contemporary twist to the classic Lingnan style.

A visitor admires  Ng Yuet-lau’s paintings at the exhibition.

Visitors admire paintings at the exhibition.

Chiu, Ng’s son, is currently dean of the CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine, professor of surgery, director of the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center, and director of the Endoscopy Center at the Institute of Digestive Disease in Hong Kong. Influenced by his mother, Chiu has immersed himself in Chinese painting from a young age, also studying under Lingnan master Zhao Shao’ang.

Chiu draws a parallel between the artistic practice of leaving blank spaces in paintings — an essential aspect of traditional Chinese art — and the principle of avoiding overtreatment in medicine. “Leaving blank areas in a painting is not only a technique but also a form of wisdom. It’s part of the composition and guided by the theme,” he explained. 

Chiu Wai-yan Philip speaks at the opening of the exhibition at CUHK-Shenzhen on April 14. Photo courtesy of the organizer

Chiu Wai-yan Philip’s paintings on display at the exhibition. 

“Similarly, medical treatment requires careful consideration of patients’ overall condition rather than applying every possible intervention. Both painting and medicine demand flexibility to adapt to unforeseen changes.”

Chiu’s flower-and-bird paintings show a close connection to Zhao Shao’ang’s style, with color collisions brilliantly executed. He focuses on the spiritual essence conveyed through painting, with some pieces reflecting the serene literati painting style. He believes that medicine and art have both shaped his inner self, complementing each other in his continuous exploration of the value and meaning of life.

Ng Yuet-lau’s paintings on display.

Ng Yuet-lau’s paintings on display.

Visitors are drawn to the paintings at the exhibition. Photo courtesy of the organizer

Curator Wei, a research fellow at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, remarked that throughout Ng’s five-decade artistic career, she has promoted Lingnan art through exhibitions at home and abroad, becoming a cultural ambassador bridging China and the global art scene. Chiu’s paintings reflect the enduring charm of traditional Chinese art, inspiring and uplifting the human spirit.

According to Dorothy Wong, director of the University Arts Centre at the CUHK-Shenzhen, Ng has been invited as an artist-in-residence at the university, where she will hold workshops and host talks to guide students in art creation. Since its launch in 2016, the Artist-in-Residence Programme has welcomed numerous domestic and international artists, enhancing the art ambience on campus and enriching students’ aesthetic experiences. 

The Gravity Field Art Gallery, established in 2024, is committed to exploring the relationships between art, humanities, science, technology, and society.

Dates: Through Sept. 15

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (The exhibition is open to CUHK-Shenzhen staff and students every day. On weekends, non-staff and non-student visitors can enter the exhibition by presenting their ID cards at the university entrance.)

Venue: Gravity Field Art Gallery, Teaching Complex D101, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Longgang District (龙岗区香港中文大学(深圳)教学综合楼D101重力场美术馆)

Metro: Line 16 to Universiade Center Station (大运中心站), Exit D