Exhibition pays tribute to Lingnan master

This year marks the 120th birth anniversary of Chao Shao-an (1905-1998), a celebrated master of the Lingnan School of Painting.

In commemoration, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) has launched the special exhibition “Legacy of Lingnan School of Painting: In Commemoration of the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Chao Shao-an,” offering a comprehensive look into the artist’s prolific career through 120 works created from the 1930s to the 1990s.

The exhibition presents not only representative pieces from Chao’s own donation to the HKHM but also important works on loan from local museums and private collections — including never-before-seen pieces from the Chao family archives. Together, they provide a multi-faceted retrospective of his artistic journey and profound contribution to 20th-century Chinese painting.

Chao was dedicated to modernizing Chinese painting while preserving its traditional kernel. Blending Eastern and Western techniques, he became known for his focus on “painting from life,” which allowed him to develop a distinctive and personal style. His bird-and-flower paintings, in particular, earned high praise — renowned artist Xu Beihong once hailed him as “the foremost bird-and-flower painter in modern China.”

A visitor looks closely at an animated version of Chao Shao-an’s 1967 piece “Plum Blossoms Under the Moonlight” at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in this Sept. 21 file photo. China News Service

Highlights of the exhibition include masterpieces such as “Moonlight Over the Pond,” which captures subtle atmospheric beauty, “White Peacock,” showcasing exquisite brushwork, and the large-scale “Plantain Trees” — a rare five-panel work that breaks from traditional formats.

In addition to Chao’s paintings of birds, flowers, insects, and landscapes, visitors can view works gifted to him by masters such as Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong, on public display for the first time. Rare video footage of Chao painting also enriches the display.

A specially commissioned multimedia installation by Hong Kong artist Thomas Siu brings Chao’ floral paintings to life through animation, inviting visitors into an immersive wonderland.

Complementing the exhibition, the HKHM is hosting a range of free educational activities, including sketching workshops, lectures, and guided tours, to deepen public understanding of the Lingnan School’s style and philosophy.

Since Chao’s significant donation in 1995, the HKHM has housed the Chao Shao-an Gallery and maintains the world’s largest collection of his works. Continued contributions from his family and students have solidified the museum’s leading role in the study of Chao’s artistic legacy.

Dates: Until Feb. 23, 2026

Venue: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sha Tin, Hong Kong (香港文化博物馆)

MTR: Che Kung Temple Station (车公庙站), or Sha Tin Station (沙田站)