Overview
Being a winner at the game of life is the expectation of many parents for their children's future. The key to success lies in setting career-oriented direction when children enter kindergarten or even ahead.
Seven child characters dressed in kindergarten uniforms are depicted in Chinese gongbi (delineative) painting, taking inspiration from the seven types of ancient literati from the Ming and Qing dynasties including court painters, scholar-officials, erudite intellectuals, reclusive literati, loyalists, twice-serving officials and monk painters. They are presented in the traditional “children at play” Chinese garden setting, inviting audience to travel back in time. The children's play symbolises the different choices and directions in life so as to create a dialogue with the ancient literati across time and space. The audience is encouraged to gain inspiration from the diversity of life planning and explore different choices. The work Ready, Set, Go! is on display to tie in with the exhibition “Life Planning of the Chinese Literati: Selected Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Xubaizhai Collection”.
Leung Lai-man, Jess was graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) with a First Class Honours Degree in Bachelor of Arts and obtained Diploma in Education (Visual Arts) from HKBU in 2015. She then obtained Diploma in Chinese Calligraphy and Chinese Painting Studies in 2018 and Diploma in Chinese Landscape Painting in 2021 at The University of Hong Kong’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE). Leung sees Chinese gongbi (delineative) painting as her language, excels at depicting the fine details of human figures and various objects with exquisite gongbi brushwork and delicate colour scheme.