Wong Yee Ki: CONNECTA
黃綺琪: 《連・謰》

14 Oct - 11 Nov, 2023

Artist Reception: 21 Oct 2023 (SAT) , 2-6pm

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“The heart of creativity is to reconnect your inner child.”

Artist Wong Yee-ki

Grotto SKW
11am - 6 pm, Monday - Saturday (Closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Enquiry: info@grottofineart.com / +852 5118 1770

Connecta: Exploring Historical Gaps Through Perfect Mistakes in Art

As I delved deeper into my art learning process, I began to realize the many historical gaps that need to be filled and this sparked my imagination about lines and Bi Mo (筆墨). The exhibition, "Connecta" (連・謰), seeks to bridge these gaps and connect unclear meanings. "連" means "to connect" and the concept of "謰" means nonsensical speech like the way a child talks. I personally believe that art doesn't always have to be clear or perfect; rather, it requires a simple belief, like the directness and innocence of a child. This exhibition showcases a collection of narrative works that may appear disconnected or unrelated at first. However, when viewed together, a clear and consistent discourse emerges.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the "Learning Innocence" series, in which I collaborated with a child. Combining the unfiltered creativity of a child's wild ideas with my Gongbi techniques, we created a unique fusion of untainted innocence and refined artistic skills. This series represents a departure from simply copying the grandmasters, and instead embraces a new approach to Bi Mo (筆墨) . The child featured in this Crossover series is someone I've had the privilege to teach for eight years, starting when she was only four. During our art classes, we embraced the idea of making "perfect mistakes." Even fi the drawing was flawed or the coloring strayed outside the lines, we never gave up on our creative process.

Through this experience, I opened up the door in embracing the pure and unbridled creativity of a child. In essence, I've regained a sense of childlike faith and liberation. In my art making process, I brought my faith into ti by incorporating worship and dance to unlock a deeper level of creativity. By doing so, I'm able to create pieces that are more dynamic and unrestrained. When I was first introduced to Gongbi, a lot of people said that my lines looked like those drawn by a computer. They were so neat, sharp and straight. When I continued to create, I learned different Gongbi drawing methods that added an academic quality to it. But this time, the lines I paint and draw are more impassioned and even with a certain level of inadvertence, between control and loss of control.

Qi Baishi once said: "The excellence of a painting lies in its being alike, yet unlike." As for me, "The excellence of creation lies between control and loss of control." I hope this exhibition gives the audience a fresh perspective on Bi Mo (筆墨).

Artist
Wong Yee Ki

當我深入研究中國藝術的時候，我逐漸意識到，特別是臨摹過程當中遇到的許多歷史空白，需要靠自己填補，這激發了我對線條和筆墨的想像。這個名為「連・謰」的展覽旨在彌合這些差距，連接不明確的含義。「連」意味著「連接」，而「謰」的概念則是像孩子說話一樣的胡言亂語。我個人認為，藝術並不總要清晰或完美；相反，它需要一個簡單的信念，就像孩子的直接和無邪。是次展覽展示了一系列敘事作品，一開始可能看起來互不相關。然而，當線索串連一起時，會出現一個清晰而一致的論述。

齊白石曾言：「作畫妙在似與不似之間。」對我來說，「作畫妙在於控和失控之間。」我希望這個展覽能夠讓觀眾對筆墨有一個新的看法。