A book launch of “Wesley Tongson – The Journey” will be held at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center in Admiralty from 6:30 - 8:15pm on the 9 July, 2019.
Hong Kong-born Wesley Tongson (1957-2012) began painting when he was 17 in the Chinese literati style, wenrenhua. During further studies in Western painting in Canada, Tongson continued his experiments in Chinese ink with splash ink painting. These techniques would lay the groundwork for his later unique style of non-brush finger and fingernail painting. Tongson’s art is heavily influenced by Zen spiritual principles and his teenage diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Besides 23 works from the artist, a previously-unpublished selection of personal notes feature in the newly-launched book. Essays about the artist and his work by curator Catherine Maudsley; Mary Ann Milford, Carver Chair in East Asian Studies at Mills College; and Wu Song, Professor at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute are also included.
During the evening presentation, Catherine Maudsley - Hong Kong-based art historian, art advisor, curator, educator and writer - will revisit the curation process behind Wesley Tongson’s exhibition which was held at the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco from 12 October 2018 to 9 March 2019. She will also talk about the inspiration behind arranging the exhibition as “A Journey” and the meaning of Wesley Tongson’s art. The conversation that follows will include Tina Pang, curator of Hong Kong Visual Culture at M+, and Cynthia Tongson, the artist’s sister.
Tickets for the event are available at the Asia Society website, at 100 HKD for Asia Society Members $100 and $150 for non-members.
Event details:
Date: 9 JUL 2019
Time: 6:30 - 8:15 pm
Venue: Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty
Tickets: Asia Society Members $100, Non-members $150