Media

University Artists Scheme: Dialogue with Internationally Acclaimed Visual Artist Gu Wenda

10 Feb 2012

Internationally acclaimed visual artist Gu Wenda will join Professor Greg Thomas of the University's Department of Fine Arts in conversation to discuss his journey from Shanghai to New York and the evolution of his work from Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting to controversial and thought-provoking works such as his United Nations installations《聯合國》 and other projects made using human hair from various nations and ethnic groups.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the event. Details are as follows:
Date: 13 February 2012 (Monday)
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm (with Q&A session)
Venue: KB419, Knowles Building, The University of Hong Kong

Speaker: Visual Artist Gu Wenda (谷文達)
Moderator: Professor Greg Thomas (Department of Fine Arts, HKU)
The Forum will be conducted in English.

The University Artists Scheme 2011- 2012 is hosted by the Faculty of Arts and is generously supported by the Daniel Chan Fund. This event is held with the support of the Department of Fine Arts.

About the University Artists Scheme:
The University Artists Scheme was officially launched in 2008 and is the first programme of its kind to be held at HKU. The Scheme brings artists of international caliber to the campus, to share their knowledge with and enrich the lives of students, staff and the community. UAS website: http://arts.hku.hk/UAS/

Gu Wenda (Visual Arts)
Gu Wenda (谷文達) is considered one of the pioneers of Chinese contemporary art. In the early to mid 1980s, he challenged the establishment and influenced an entire generation of artists in China with a series of provocative ink paintings that employed fake or pseudo Chinese characters. After he moved to the United States in 1987, he began creating large-scale installations, using everything from human hair to human placenta powder to create artistic objects and explore the issues surrounding multiculturalism and globalization. Through his work, Gu Wenda has established himself as a powerful commentator on the cultural and linguistic barriers that continue to exist in a globalized era.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Georgina Challen, Public Affairs Manager, Faculty of Arts (tel: 2219 4250 email: gchallen@hku.hk) or Ms Phyllis Mak, Programme Manager, Faculty of Arts, HKU (tel: 2859 8048, email: kpmak@hku.hk).