‘Apposite Relevance’ reveals students’ talent in art and curating
“Apposite Relevance” shows 20 works of art by students who have completed the Studio Practice with Artist-in-Residence course, where viewers not only feel an intimacy between the works, but are also able to relate to each of them.
“The exhibition was inspired by the abstract concept of ‘Apposite Relevance’, because during the first discussion with my classmates about the project, I found that everyone had their own individual ideas and creative directions,” said curator Rachel Tse Yik-ching (pictured). “However, I believe that there was always a concept connecting them.”
Rachel praised her classmates' work, which, she feels, has an impressive quality.
The show took over a month to plan and mount, and Rachel's biggest challenge was coordinating everyone's ideas and differing opinions. “This was a valuable experience for everyone involved, as some of us want to be artists, while I aspire to being a curator. Everyone worked together, each contributing their own skills towards a common goal of presenting their best work to the public,” she said.
Rachel praised her peers' work, which, she feels, has an impressive quality. “Initially, I felt lost when I started studying Visual Studies (now Digital Arts and Creative Industries), as my work did not have that quality, that ‘it factor’, and so I wondered if I should give up art altogether. However, after learning about curating on other courses, I got back my passion for art, as in curating I can bring different pieces together to tell their own story. This is just fascinating, and very meaningful.”
And this explains why the year 4 student chose to be the exhibition curator to course instructor and artist-in-residence Hanison Lau Hok-shing.
"I am grateful to the University for providing us with so many resources and opportunities to try different things," Rachel said.
Artist-in-residence Hanison Lau Hok-shing hopes that through this course students will understand that art is a medium for self-expression.
For Lau, being able to interact and communicate with students from different backgrounds has been a valuable experience. “Lingnan students are gentle and determined, often quietly contemplative, and creative. They ask questions from a personal perspective, are imaginative and adventurous in their work, and accept new ideas,” he explained.
"Their work often reflects their personal experiences and feelings, expressing their inner thoughts through artistic language. Each student's work is unique."
Hanison Lau Hok-shing
Lau hopes that through this course students will understand that art is a medium for self-expression, and by creating they can express their own views and feelings bravely, sharing their authentic selves with the people looking at their art. "There are many different experiences in life - ups and downs. How to sort and integrate them is a necessary stage in creation. I hope that through their work, they can understand themselves better and become better at expressing themselves."
Launched in 2006, the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Programme brings visiting artists to Lingnan University every year, and, during their residency, the artist teaches a studio course and guides students in producing their own work in a multi-purpose studio, with an exhibition at the end of the semester.
