Jao Tsung I’s Statue Unveiling Ceremony and Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition “Chinese Painting and Calligraphy of Professor Jao Tsung I”
Jao Tsung I’s Statue Unveiling Ceremony and Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition “Chinese Painting and Calligraphy of Professor Jao Tsung I” was held on 14 December 2012 at Jao Tsung-I Academy. Organised by Jao Tsung-I Academy and Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole, HKU, the ceremony was officiated by Mr Tsang Tak Shing, Secretary for Home Affairs; Professor Jao Tsung-i; Professor Lee Chack-fan, Chairman, Management Board, Jao Tsung-I Academy; Dr Simon Suen, Chairman of Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole Fan Club; Mr Ji Feng, Sculptor; Dr Tang Wai Hung, Fine Art Coordinator, Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole, HKU; Dr Wong King Keung, Vice-Chairman, Management Board, Jao Tsung-I Academy.
Guests and media took an early preview of the statue and new exhibits including “The Five Sacred Mountains of China”, “Landscapes of Four Seasons”, “Three Sages” and “Xiling Society of Seal Arts”.
The Statue
The 1.8m bronze statue of Professor Jao Tsung-i was unveiled at the courtyard of the Jao Tsung-I Academy. The statue was created by a famous sculptor from Beijing, Mr Ji Feng. The exquisite craftsmanship of the statue presents Professor Jao in a lively way.
The Exhibition
Jao Tsung-I Academy also took the opportunity to mark the opening of the exhibition “Chinese Painting and Calligraphy of Professor Jao Tsung I”. The exhibition showcases selected artworks previously on display at a celebrative exhibition in Hangzhou, China in November 2012, organised by Xiling Seal Society.
The achievement of Professor Jao Tsung-i is widely recognized. Professor Jao is the first Hong Kong scholar appointed as the Member of the Central Research Institute of Culture and History by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. He is also the 7th President of Xiling Seal Society. Xiling Seal Society is located adjacent to Xihu, Hangzhou of mainland China. Established in 1904, it is the first academic organization of seal crafting in China.
Earlier last week, Professor Jao was nominated by Academie des inscriptions et belles-lettres, Institut de France as the Foreign Associate, which is an important recognition across the cultural community in France and Europe. Professor Jao is the first sinologist in Asia to attain this honour.
The exhibition will open to public from 15 December 2012 to 14 March 2013. Jao Tsung-I Academy opens from 10am to 6pm on every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (closed on public holidays).
Jao Tsung-I Academy offers free guided tour service. Visitors and groups may register at the Academy’s website. Guided tours are available at 11am, 2pm and 4pm on open day. Docents of the Academy will guide visitors to the Gallery and the Heritage Hall, sharing Professor Jao’s art as well as history and architectural features of the Academy.
For more information of Jao Tsung-I Academy, please visit www.jtia.hk
