Hong Kong-based art enthusiasts Yas Mostashari Chang, founder of Yas Art Space, and Meg Maggio, director at Pékin Fine Arts in Wong Chuk Hang, team up on showcasing abstract works from three Iranian artists and three Chinese artists titled Iran To Hong Kong: A Group Exhibition of Iranian and Chinese Artists until May 5, 2023. (JAN YUMUL/ CHINA DAILY)
HK exhibition showcases Chinese and Iranian artworks to promote the idea of cultural connections
Following the success of a thrice-postponed calligraphy art exhibition featuring Chinese and Iranian artists in March, Hong Kong-based art enthusiasts Yas Mostashari Chang and Meg Maggio have teamed up to build on the momentum and promote another cross-cultural arts show.
With the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions out of the way in the city, the duo are showcasing abstract works from three Iranian artists and three Chinese artists at an exhibition titled Iran To Hong Kong: A Group Exhibition of Iranian and Chinese Artists, at the Pékin Fine Arts gallery in Hong Kong’s Wong Chuk Hang neighborhood until May 5.
The pair credits the two countries’ similar and shared rich civilizations, which date back to thousands of years, as an inspiration.
The Iranian artworks are by artists living and working in Iran, the United States, and Australia. Though their styles differ, there is a shared reference to the Iranian culture and history that connects them all
The works featured include Xie Qi’s Still Life Series No 1 paintings, the late Hossein Valamanesh’s Pure Earth, Jason Noushin’s Crow’s Fall and Mao Lizi’s Ambiguous Flower Series, to name, but a few, along with works from China’s Lin Jing and Iranian artist Mohsen Jamalinik.
Iranian curator Mostashari Chang told China Daily that the inspiration was to showcase three artists each from both countries and place their work “in a way that is like they are talking to each other”.
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The Iranian artworks are by artists living and working in Iran, the United States, and Australia. Though their styles differ, there is a shared reference to the Iranian culture and history that connects them all.
According to a statement by the gallery, the selection provides a visual journey through 21st century Iran, demonstrating artists’ aesthetics little known to the Asian world. Challenging prevailing notions of aesthetic judgment and standards of value “may be among the greatest contributions abstract artists can make to contemporary culture within both China and Iran”, it said.
“It’s all about different techniques. So each set of work has a completely different technique. There are (also) a lot of stories behind it (or) why these pieces were made. And visually, they should look good with each other,” said Mostashari Chang.
Maggio, director at Pékin Fine Arts, told China Daily that if you are in Beijing or Hong Kong, you can “realize how connected Chinese culture is to Persian culture”, especially given the history of calligraphy.
“There’s a lot of common denominator culturally (between China and Iran) and I think that people talk about the Belt and Road Initiative as a trade route, but really for me, it’s most important as an exchange of ideas and an exchange of culture and that is more important than the trade aspect,” she added.
Iran To Hong Kong: A Group Exhibition of Iranian and Chinese Artists, a show of abstract works from three Iranian artists and three Chinese artists are on show at Wong Chuk Hang until May 5, 2023. (JAN YUMUL/ CHINA DAILY)
Maggio said that sometimes “we underestimate the importance of border traffic, not only for trade but on the exchange of ideas and culture, and cultural influence”.
“Hong Kong, post-1997, in my view, has become a much more cosmopolitan city. You have people from all over the world coming through Hong Kong more than ever before. I think it still remains the center of every kind of trade in Asia, and increasingly you’re going to see more people from the Middle East connecting with Hong Kong,” said Maggio.
Mostashari Chang hopes that at some point, she would be able to bring Chinese artists to Iran. With the two countries deepening their relations, she is optimistic that cultural exchanges will increase between the two sides and that travel will become easier through direct routes.
“I have a lot of non-Iranian artists that I have kept in contact with and I still am planning to keep a diverse set of artists. But I also think it’s important, especially now that Iran and China are (getting closer through the BRI) there’s a lot more connection,” said Mostashari Chang.
“A connection has been made and it is getting stronger. If I can contribute in the art scene, why not?” she said.
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“It’s time to really look at the way cultures interact and what they have in common and how they influence each other. To me, that’s one of the advantage, that Hong Kong is a city that has always had very open borders,” said Maggio, adding that it has helped raise awareness about other people and cultures.
“The diversity of Hong Kong in this scale, there’s no other place in Asia. And to me that’s the strength of Hong Kong,” she added.
