朱達誠 Chu Tat Shing Toronto Art Exhibition
Photo: Kenneth Li
The “Art at Heart, Chu Tat-shing Exhibition” taking place at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto from August 4-13, 2023. This summer, Toronto welcomes renowned Hong Kong sculpture artist, Mr. Chu Tat-shing. The exhibition, a unique interplay of Eastern and Western cultures, showcases Toronto’s vibrant cultural diversity while offering a glance into Hong Kong’s rich heritage.
Much like Bruce Lee, Mr. Chu believes art and culture know no boundaries. He emphasizes the pursuit of excellence and the courage to tackle challenges. Mr. Chu will be unveiling a life-sized statue of the iconic Bruce Lee, designed exclusively for this exhibition, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the star’s passing. His exhibition will also feature a wide array of captivating sculptures and paintings, each embodying tales of resilience, heritage, and transformation.
More from Fête Chiniose
The art of crafting handmade knotted floral buttons, a cherished Chinese tradition, often goes unnoticed by modern fashion enthusiasts. Adorning cheongsams and other garments, these buttons complement the chosen fabric and colour, serving as a small yet intricate detail in the time-consuming tailoring process of traditional Chinese dresses. Royce Chau knows this firsthand, having studied tailoring Chinese garments when she couldn't find a traditional Chinese outfit she liked while living in Singapore. Unable to find what she sought in numerous department stores, she resolved to learn how to make one herself.
Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is one of a small number of what are known as traditional scholar’s gardens. When it opened 38 years ago, it was the first classical garden built outside China in the country’s most sophisticated style, which was developed centuries ago in the southern city of Suzhou.
Growing up in Hong Kong, Cardin Chan often walked confidently at night on streets illuminated by giant neon signs whose kaleidoscopic beams pierced the darkness, forming phosphorescent pathways that mapped the city into distinct districts with their own visual signatures. Featuring customized logos and Chinese calligraphy, the signs had been emblazoning the facades of family-run restaurants, bars, shops and theatres for decades, infusing Hong Kong’s commodity-driven economy with kinetic energy, character and otherworldly glamour.
In this article, you will have a chance to read about the inspiration behind the 2024 design which represents the feature story in this edition: the disappearing neon lights of Hong Kong’s streetscapes. Each and every handmade glowing neon sign symbolizes a life and history — a dream, a business, a family’s livelihood and service to the local community. This year’s tin design is a love letter to Hong Kong’s infamous vistas, full of life and vitality, and the city’s spirit, hustle, and bustle. Enjoy our design process!
In 2022, the film A Light Never Goes Out rekindled our fascination with the radiant neon lights of Hong Kong, offering a fresh glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship behind these iconic signs. The film’s nostalgic portrayal has sparked renewed interest in the cultural and historical significance of neon lights, leading the 2024 Design Annual to feature two compelling stories on this luminous subject.
Hand-written Chinese character signs often serve as prominent features in local movie backdrops and nostalgic tourist photos. Hong Kong's oldest storefronts proudly display hand-painted lettering, embodying a unique charm that image makers strive to cherish — from filmmakers to photographers like renowned Hong Kong-based French photographer Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze. These signs, with their graceful strokes, have become iconic symbols of the city's culture, offering a nostalgic glimpse into its bustling urban landscape — enjoy every image!
“Benevolence Hall” is Hakka-Chinese Canadian artist Kevin Matthew Wong’s latest art installation, inviting audiences to reflect on their personal journeys and connections to Canada. Many Canadians have roots in different parts of the world, coming to Canada and making it their new home. This is also true for the Hakka (which translates to “guest families” in Chinese), who have migrated within China and across the globe, including Canada, while respecting the local cultures of their new homes.
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival proudly announces pioneer visual and media Canadian artist Paul Wong as the 2024 Fire Horse Award recipient, honouring his community work, advocacy, and activism. The ceremony, hosted by Lainey Lui, took place on May 23rd at the Shangri-La Hotel Toronto, with notable attendees including Andrew Phung, Mayor Olivia Chow, the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, and Ann Pornel.
Curated from diverse origins, our collection features 8 handpicked products showcased within the pages of Fête Chinoise Design Annual 2023. These selections, including works by Guo Pei, Ferris Wheel Press x Shangri-La, and others, spotlight cultural significance through innovative design, embracing the essence of Chinese culture.
Tik Ka Ng, otherwise known as Tik Ka from East, creates art that wakes the consciousness and transports the observer into a vivid, fantastical dreamscape of colliding cultures. The Hong Kong-born multimedia artist who now resides in the United Kingdom has an unbridled talent for bringing the historical mysticism of East Asian arts (particularly Chinese mythology) and blending it with modern pop culture iconography into his work.
If walls could talk, they might describe an idyllic Chinese landscape, animated by plumed birds, luscious flowers and undulating rice paddy grasses. Attention would also be lavished on the brilliance of the rich blue, green, red and gold colours as well as the intricacy of the hand-painted design, so exquisitely detailed as to seem life-like. But only those walls covered in panels of de Gournay wallpaper would possess the eloquence to do these scenes justice.
In a world where artists often boast about their exceptional and distinctive creations, Taiwanese paper-cutting artist Yang Shih-yi stands apart with his humility. Unlike many artists who speak loftily about their works, Yang describes himself as merely a storyteller, messenger, and servant to serve others' needs. He even goes as far as to say, “The arts might not even be significant.” His primary concern is whether his works will inspire a sense of joy and well-being in people.