Artist / Wong Hau Kwei
Wong Hau Kwei apprenticed under the renowned master of Chinese ink art, Huang Zhou, in the 1970s. He later moved to Hong Kong in 1978, where he resumed painting after retiring from his business in the late 1990s. His remarkable achievements in Chinese ink art have garnered widespread recognition.
In 2024, he was awarded Artist of the Year at the 18th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards. His works have been selected for the Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial Exhibition six times and have received awards in 2001, 2009, and 2012. Additionally, he has been honoured with the Secretary for Home Affairs' Commendation twice in Hong Kong.
On a national level, his works have been recognised as works of merit at the National Fine Arts Exhibition three times and have been exhibited in various exhibitions at the National Art Museum of China. One of his notable works, "Moving Clouds and Water in the Three Gorges," has been distinguished as one of the most important Chinese artworks of the last century, as it was featured in "Chinese Art in the 20th Century -， Collection of the National Art Museum of China," published by the National Art Museum of China.
In 1976, began studying painting under renowned artist Huang Zhou (黃冑).
In 1992, co-organization of an exhibition of Ye Qianyu (葉淺予) with Artist Magazine (美術家), Hong Kong.
In 1996, the “Wong Hau Kwei Ink Painting Exhibition” was held at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre and Shenzhen Museum.
In 1997, a solo exhibition was hosted by the China National Academy of Painting at the National Art Museum of China. The work “Clouds Over the Three Gorges” (三峽行雲流水圖) was acquired by the National Art Museum of China. Another piece, “Watching the Sunset Over the Tower” (坐看斜陽下高樓), was selected for the Hong Kong Reunification Exhibition and collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
In 1998, artwork “Providence” (天意) was selected for the Hong Kong Art Biennial and collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. participated in the “Contemporary Chinese Landscape and Oil Painting Exhibition” at the China Art Museum which was hosted by China Oil Painting Society; and contributed to the 1st Shenzhen International Ink Art Biennale.
In 1999, artwork “Providence” (天意) and “Spring Breeze in March” (春風二三月) were selected for the 9th National Fine Art Exhibition, with “Providence” receiving an award. The piece Clouds Over the Three Gorges (三峽行雲流水圖 ) was included in the publication “20th Century Chinese Art: Selected Works from the China Art Museum”.
In 2000, participated in “The Second International Ink Painting Biennial of Shenzhen: Ink Painting & Metropolis” in Shenzhen.
In 2001, the artwork “Skiff” (輕舟) won an award at the Hong Kong Art Biennial and was collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
In 2002, “Autumn” (秋思) was collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art; Participated in “The 3rd International Ink Painting of Shenzhen: Metropolis Ink Painting”. The works “Autumn” and “Skiff” (輕舟) were featured in “Hong Kong Cityscapes: Ink Painting in Transition”, an exhibition organized by the Hong Kong Museum of Art, showcased in Hong Kong and London.
In 2003, the series “Eighteen Views of Clear Water Residence” (清水居傳寫十八圖), Parts 1–6, were selected for the Hong Kong Art Biennial.
In 2004, “Sketches of Clear Water Residence” (清水居寫生圖) was selected for the 10th National Art Exhibition Award Winners Exhibition. The pieces “Duplex Penthouse” (頂層覆式) and “Afterglow” (余暉) were exhibited at the 4th Shenzhen International Ink Art Biennale and collected by the Shenzhen Fine Art Institute.
In 2005, the series “Eighteen Views of Clear Water Residence”(清水居寫生圖), Parts 7–12, were selected for the Hong Kong Art Biennial. participated in the "Chinese Painting: Painting China — An Exhibition of Works Entering Hong Kong"
In 2006, participated in the "Chinese Painting: Painting China — An Exhibition of Works Entering Xinjiang" exhibition and “The 5th International Ink Painting Biennial of Shenzhen”.
In 2007, participated in the “One World: Chinese Paintings of the UN Family”, which toured Beijing, Geneva, and New York. Contribution to the Painting China – Into Sichuan exhibition.
In 2008, participated in the "Chinese Painting: Painting China — An Exhibition of Works Entering Shanxi" exhibition. Held “Xinjiang in the Art of Wong Hau Kwei” in Hong Kong. And, participated in the “The 6th International Ink Painting Biennial of Shenzhen”.
In 2009, “Rocky Cliff” (壁生千刃) won an award at the 2009 Hong Kong Contemporary Art Biennial Awards and was collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Works selected in The 11th National Fine Arts Exhibition.
In 2010, participated in the “Legacy and Creations: Ink Art vs Ink Art” at the Shanghai Art Museum, organized by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Works were exhibited at the Art HK 10 at the Hong Kong Museum. And exhibited at The 7th International Ink Art Biennial of Shenzhen.
In 2011, participated in the “Shui Mo Hong Kong: Exhibition of Hong Kong Ink Paintings”, organized by the China Artists Association and showcased in Beijing and Shenzhen. The piece “Hong Kong Centennial Tribute” (香港辛亥百年祭) was featured at the 100th Anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution Art Exhibition and collected by the China Art Museum.
In 2012, the artwork “Rising Clouds” (雲起) won the Outstanding Artist Award at the 2012 Hong Kong Contemporary Art Awards and collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
In 2013, participated in the “Shui Mo Hong Kong: Exhibition of Hong Kong Ink Paintings” in Hong Kong.
In 2014, curated the “Hong Kong Contemporary Ink Art Exhibition” and participated in the 12th National Art Exhibition.
In 2015, participated in “Return and Departure: Wong Hau Kwei and Chan Keng Tin Ink Painting Exhibition” which was hosted by Rong Bao Zhai (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. And, the piece “Tai Ning Dragon Pond” (泰寧寫生九龍潭之一) was collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
In 2016, held a solo exhibition “The Ink and Water Painting Exhibition of Wong Hau Kwei” in Hong Kong. And, participated in “Boundless Water – Ink Paintings by Wong Hau Kwei, Zhou Jin and Chan Keng Tin”, hosted by the Shenzhen Fine Art Institute.
In 2017, acted as a judge for the Hong Kong Ink Global 2017. Participated in “Picturing Hong Kong: Ink Paintings by Contemporary Hong Kong Artists” at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. And contribution to the Ink Asia Art Fair.
In 2018, held a solo exhibition at the China Art Museum. Participated in “Boundless Water – Ink Paintings by Wong Hau Kwei, Zhou Jin and Chan Keng Tin” exhibition in Hong Kong.
Contribution to the 2018 “Urban Ink Academic Exhibition” hosted by the Urban Ink Research Institute of the China National Academy of Painting, which toured Shenzhen and Wuhan.
The artwork “Red Sail in Hong Kong Harbour” (維港紅帆) was featured in Hong Kong Holds My Heart – an exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, co-organized by the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Hong Kong Federation of Cultural Circles, and the Hong Kong Artists Association.
In 2019, held a solo exhibition at the Tianjin Art Museum.
The artwork “Red Sail in Hong Kong Harbour” (維港紅帆) was selected for the 13th National Art Exhibition and showcased at the China Art Museum.
The artwork “Beyond the Tower” (樓外樓) was featured in The Open Window is Beautiful – an exhibition celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 40th Anniversary of Shenzhen’s Establishment.
In 2021, the artwork “Red Sail in Hong Kong Harbour” (維港紅帆) was auctioned at Christie’s Autumn Auction for 1.25 million.
In 2022 to 2023, participated in the “Seon1 - Cultural Symbols of Chinese Landscape Painting” group exhibition at Hong Kong Oi! Glassie
In 2024, received 18th Hong Kong Arts Development Award – Artist of the Year (Visual Arts). Participated in “A Decade of New Beginnings: 10th Anniversary Exhibition of the Chinese Painting Association of Hong Kong”. And participated in “A New Era of Ink Painting in Hong Kong” exhibition.
In 2024, artwork was acquired by the Museum of Cultural Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
In 2025, held a Wong Hau Kwei’s Ink Painting Art Exhibition “The Elegance of Constructive Ink” at Touch Gallery Hong Kong.