Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong

The Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong is the oldest museum in Hong Kong. Founded in 1953, it was first known as the "fengpingshan Museum". The building occupied by it was originally the "fengpingshan Chinese Library" opened in 1932. Both of them are named after the donors of the building. In 1994, the museum was renamed "the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong". In 1996, a new wing was added to the museum, and the exhibition hall in xuzhantang building was completed and opened. In the past 60 years, the museum has collected many Chinese art works of historical value. They are mainly divided into three categories: bronzes, ceramics and paintings, ranging from the Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty, including traditional Chinese and modern paintings from the Ming Dynasty to the 21st century.

Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong

The University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong, founded in 1953, is located at 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Island, formerly known as the fengpingshan library established in 1932. It is the oldest museum in Hong Kong.

The Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong is located on the lower three floors of fengpingshan building and xuzhantang building. It has a collection of more than 1800 pieces of works of historical value, which are mainly divided into three categories: bronzes, ceramics and paintings. From the Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty, the exhibits include the colorful Tang Sancai and the world's richest collection of Yuan Dynasty Nestorian Bronze Cross. In addition, museums often hold various kinds of exhibitions, seminars, lectures and other activities.

Fengpingshan building, where the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong is located, is a first-class historical building in Hong Kong and is listed as a statutory historic site in Hong Kong.

Historical evolution

The fengpingshan Library (fengpingshan building) was built in 1929 and completed in 1932. It is the Chinese Library of the University of Hong Kong. It was donated and built by the late Chinese business leader and philanthropist Mr. Feng Pingshan, so it is named after it. This is the predecessor of the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong.

On December 14, 1932, the fengpingshan library building was opened by the then governor of Hong Kong, Sir David Bailu.

During the Second World War, the fengpingshan library building was used to store private, school and government collections.

In 1953, the Institute of Chinese art and archaeology was established and held an exhibition in one of the rooms of fengpingshan library.

In 1962, the collection of fengpingshan library was transferred to the newly built general library of the University of Hong Kong, and then fengpingshan library was transformed into fengpingshan Museum.

In 1964, the fengpingshan museum was opened to the public.

In 1994, the fengpingshan museum was renamed the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong.

In 1996, the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong built a new wing exhibition hall.

Architectural pattern

overview

The Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong is located on the lower three floors of the Fung Ping Shan Building and the Tsui chin Tang building near the entrance to the east gate of the University of Hong Kong on Bonham Road, with a total floor area of 2000 square meters. Fengpingshan building is three stories high and connects with the exhibition hall of xuzhantang building. There is a bridge between the two buildings to connect the exhibition hall.

 

There is an arc-shaped exhibition hall on the upper floor of the atrium of fengpingshan building, which is supported by octagonal columns and gets light from the large skylight in the center of the roof.

 

Exhibition hall

The exhibition hall on the first floor of fengpingshan building includes Lin Yangshan exhibition hall in the middle, he luoqiwen exhibition hall and Wang liangjiehua exhibition hall on both sides; the exhibition hall on the second floor includes Brune exhibition hall and he shanheng exhibition hall.

 

The exhibition hall on the first floor of xuzhantang building consists of Xushi exhibition hall in the middle, fangzhaoxu exhibition hall and LiuHaisu exhibition hall on both sides.

 

Tea house and bookstore

Boliao tea house and bookstore are located on the ground floor of xuzhantang building.

 

Architectural features

The Feng Ping Shan building, where the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong is located, is designed by Li'an architects. The facade is made of red brick and decorated with granite carvings. The roof has a large glass dome with a symmetrical facade. The overall design shows the architectural features, including the fan-shaped plane layout and the design of the middle arc part. The facade is decorated with large pilasters, window frames, triangular lintels, low walls and cornices with decorative lines, with elegant design. Most of the old doors, windows and their original brass accessories made of solid wood still exist today.

 

Collection

overview

As the oldest existing Museum in Hong Kong, the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong has a large collection of Chinese cultural relics and works of art. Among them, the bronze and ceramic collections can be traced back from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to the Neolithic Age (about 7000-2100 BC), while the calligraphy and painting collections are between the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the 21st century.

The Museum of fine arts of the University of Hong Kong focuses on ceramics, including lead glazed pottery of the Han Dynasty (206-220 B.C.) and tricolor ware of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). As for the blue and white porcelain developed in China to cater to the Middle East and European markets, some representative works are also found in the collection, especially the blue and white three legged water bowl of the Tang Dynasty. In addition, other important collections include Ding kiln, Cizhou kiln and other porcelains of Song Dynasty (960-1279), as well as monochrome glaze and colored porcelain of Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Another collection of treasures includes bronze ritual vessels from the Shang Dynasty (about 1600-1100 BC) and the Western Zhou Dynasty (about 1100-771 BC), as well as bronze mirrors from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) to the Song Dynasty. The collection of bronze medals of the Nestorian cross in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) is the largest in the world. In addition, there are a small number of jade and wood carvings, ink and wash paintings since Ming Dynasty and contemporary Chinese oil paintings.

 

Representative collection

Cultural Activity

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In addition to the collection, the Museum of fine arts of the University of Hong Kong regularly holds various art exhibitions at all times and in all over the world, including exhibitions on early history of Hong Kong, as well as seminars, lectures and other activities for students and the public.

At the same time, the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong participates in the teaching of the Art Department of the University of Hong Kong, teaching Chinese art and Museology. Adhering to the aim of the University Museum, it hopes to broaden students' horizons through art teaching.

In addition, to promote Chinese tea culture, the Museum of fine arts of the University of Hong Kong has a "Bo Liao tea house" for visitors to have a rest and enjoy tea.

 

Teaching research

The Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong is a teaching Museum. Museum staff are responsible for guiding undergraduate students (fine2056, fine4005, muse2001 and muse2002) and graduate students majoring in art, history and collection. The museum also contributes to other courses of the University of Hong Kong, including the common core courses of the University of Hong Kong, as well as projects planned and carried out by the Hong Kong Institute of Humanities and social studies, the school of professional development of the University of Hong Kong and the architectural conservation education program.

 

The staff of the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong regularly give lectures at the University of Hong Kong and other educational institutions in Hong Kong, and participate in numerous Hong Kong and international seminars, round tables and workshops.

 

The Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong organizes a series of guided tours and workshops for the general public, families and schools, aiming at improving their art appreciation level and deepening the discussion of theoretical and practical issues related to art and culture. The museum will also train professional colleagues in the fields of art conservation, administration, distribution and exhibition. The museum's community outreach services are funded by the Museum Society of the University of Hong Kong and the 12 knowledge exchange grant schemes.

 

The Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong offers internships and scholarships to outstanding young scholars in the field of art history. The museum encourages the participation of collection research and educational projects, and is committed to cultivating a team of museum professionals with sustainable development.

 

Honors

On December 18, 2009, fengpingshan building was identified as a first-class historical building in Hong Kong by the Antiquities Advisory Committee.

 

On November 16, 2018, according to the Antiquities and monuments Ordinance, the exterior of Fung Ping Shan building was listed as a statutory monument in Hong Kong.

 

 

In September 2014, the Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong was awarded the 2014 University of Hong Kong knowledge exchange Award for its project "Botticelli's Venus: Italy's national treasure of the Renaissance".

 

Visit information

Opening Hours

Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

1 pm to 6 pm on Sunday

The Art Museum of the University of Hong Kong is open daily for public and university holidays.

 

Chinese PinYin : Xiang Gang Da Xue Mei Shu Bo Wu Guan