As a highlight of the WestK Shanghai Week 2025, the exhibition immerses visitors in the theme of garden art, presenting interdisciplinary works by 16 Hong Kong artists
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) today unveiled the new exhibition, “City Rhythms: Chinese Traditional Culture Reinterpreted” (“City Rhythms”), which will run at Shanghai’s ZHANGYUAN from tomorrow (20 June) to 31 July 2025, marking the Museum’s inaugural exhibition outside Hong Kong. Specially curated for the WestK Shanghai Week 2025 (“WestK Shanghai Week”) by the HKPM, the exhibition presents cross-disciplinary works by 16 Hong Kong artists in painting, video, and multimedia art. It offers a fresh reinterpretation of traditional Chinese garden art while exploring the cultural heritage and innovation of both Hong Kong and Shanghai. Visitors can enjoy free admission by registering through the Museum’s WeChat mini programme.
The opening ceremony for the exhibition was held at Shanghai’s ZHANGYUAN today. The event was officiated by Jin Lei, Deputy Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism; Yu Bin, Deputy Director General in Shanghai Customs District; Aron Laura Liang, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), and Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM.
Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board, said, “ ‘City Rhythms’ is an exhibition curated by the HKPM for the WestK Shanghai Week 2025. It embodies WestK’s vision of ‘going global’ and establishes a significant new bridge for artistic, academic, and cultural exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai. The exhibition takes place at ZHANGYUAN, known as the ‘Best Garden in Shanghai’, offering audiences a journey through the evolution of urban gardens over the past century. It encourages reflection on the connections and transformations between traditional Chinese garden culture and contemporary visual art, revealing the historical significance and cultural innovation inherent in both Hong Kong and Shanghai as vibrant international cities.”
Cross-disciplinary works by 16 Hong Kong artists, featuring both emerging talents and seasoned creators, staged at the “Best Garden in Shanghai”
“City Rhythms” is themed around garden landscapes, exploring how the diverse developments in Hong Kong and Shanghai influence the presentation and interpretation of traditional culture. Curated in the evocative setting of the ZHANGYUAN shikumen compound, historically known as the “Best Garden in Shanghai”, the exhibition features 16 Hong Kong artists who draw inspiration from the rich history of ZHANGYUAN and the urban landscapes of both cities. Through innovative expressions, these artists showcase their reflections and imaginations on garden aesthetics and modern society. ZHANGYUAN, established over a century ago as Shanghai’s first public space, was also a site of numerous other firsts: the first garden freely accessible to the public, the first public electric lamp illuminated, the first bicycle ridden, the first outdoor photo studio introduced and the first public film screening for Chinese audiences. ZHANGYUAN has witnessed a century of transformation in Shanghai’s urban life and stands as a modern benchmark for urban renewal, evolving into a vibrant community that blends culture with leisure and entertainment. This historic garden complex creates a compelling dialogue with Hong Kong’s urban landscape and public spaces, embodying collective memory and reflecting the evolution of its citizens’ lifestyles. “City Rhythms” sparks a dialogue between artistic innovation and urban revitalisation, demonstrating the uniquehistory and cultural allure of Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The exhibition is curated by Grace Cheng, Guest Curator of the HKPM. Participating artists include Kasing Lung, the creator behind the iconic collectible Labubu, contemporary artist anothermountainman (Stanley Wong), composer Lam Fung, Tim Chan, and multimedia artists Ng Tsz Kwan, Fung Wing Lam, Wong Chung-yu, Keith Lam, Chan Wai Lap, and Kenny Wong. The exhibition also features outstanding works by comic illustrator Li Chi Tak, visual artist Kongkee, and emerging painters Stephen Wong Chun Hei, Peep, sketchup, and John Ho. The participating artists adeptly engage with the unique exhibition environment, merging images, movement, sound, and interactive installations to reimagine traditional Chinese garden art through a contemporary lens. The works depict the bustling and tranquil aspects of urban life and the fusion of tradition and modernity, while seamlessly weaving elements of Palace Museum culture into their creations. This showcases the artists' sensitivity to the rhythms of the city and blends the traditional aesthetics of landscape gardens with the pace of modern society, creating a new cultural context.
During the exhibition, students from Fudan University will serve as docents and event volunteers, gaining valuable hands-on experience for aspiring arts and culture professionals.
The cultural salon themed “Evolving Landscapes: From Traditional Culture to Modern Urban Fabric” will be held on 21 June
The HKPM and Jiefang Daily·Shanghai Observer will co-organise a cultural salon on 21 June, themed “Evolving Landscapes: From Traditional Culture to Modern Urban Fabric”. The event consists of two sessions, with the first focusing on the museum perspective through a dialogue among Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, Li Zhongmou, Executive Director of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Museum, and Liu Wentao, Director of the World Expo Museum of Shanghai. The discussion will explore innovative practices for interpreting traditional culture by the museums in Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as the role of museums in sustainable urban development. The second session will foster exchange among artists, featuring Grace Cheng, curator of the “City Rhythms” alongside artists from both cities. They include anothermountainman (Stanley Wong), Lam Fung, Keith Lam, and Ng Tsz Kwan from Hong Kong, as well as Shanghai-based artists including Liu Yi, Zhou Quan, Yang Mushi, and Wang Jiayi. They will examine the reinterpretation of traditional culture through contemporary art,and new media in response to modern urban development. The cultural salon aims to facilitate meaningful exchanges among industry professionals and art enthusiasts, thereby strengthening the cultural ties between Hong Kong and Shanghai. The cultural salon is fully booked. The event will be live-streamed on the HKPM WeChat Video Account (Weixin Channels) and the Shanghai Observer App.
“City Rhythms” will be open to the public from 20 June through 31 July 2025 at W1 of ZHANGYUAN in Shanghai. Visitors can enjoy free admission by registering through the Museum’s WeChat mini programme.
Remarks
About WestK Shanghai Week 2025
Hosted by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (“WKCDA”) from 18 to 22 June, WestK Shanghai Week 2025 (“WestK Shanghai Week”) will feature collaborations with six renowned cultural institutions and venues in Shanghai to present seven leading WestK cultural and artistic programmes to the city’s audiences. WestK Shanghai Week is the first cross-disciplinary showcase of creative programmes to be curated or co-organised by WestK outside of Hong Kong since the WKCDA’s establishment in 2008, marking the important milestone in fostering Hong Kong’s unique cultural offerings to “go global”. WestK Shanghai Week will include exhibitions curated by M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, as well as a selection of highly acclaimed original Cantonese musicals and Xiqu, music and dance performances. It also features a range of promotional and cultural exchange activities to introduce WestK’s vision to local audiences and industry professionals, showcasing its role as a leading cultural and creative tourism destination in Hong Kong.
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
Through innovative curatorial approaches, the Hong Kong Palace Museum presents priceless treasures from The Palace Museum along with the finest collections from other world-renowned institutions. The Museum is also in the process of building its own world-class collection. Opened in 2022, the Museum is a leading institution for the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture and the promotion of dialogue among world civilisations. The Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and The Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2031.
Through research, exhibitions, publications, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum builds international partnerships and positions Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. A resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum inspires community engagement, fosters dialogue, and promotes creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural hubs in the world and Hong Kong’s new cultural tourism landmark, spanning 40 hectares alongside Victoria Harbour. WestK comprises a mix of landmark arts and cultural facilities, including world-class museums M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, intricately designed performing arts venues the Xiqu Centre and Freespace, the 11-hectare Art Park with a waterfront promenade, and the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre.
Hosting over 1,000 exhibitions, performances, programmes, and events each year, WestK provides a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. WestK welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year, evolving as the international cultural brand of Hong Kong and strengthening the city’s strategic role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
https://www.westk.hk
