Asia Society Hong Kong Center presents A World Within: The Art and Inspiration of Irene
Chou as the third installment in its “20th Century Chinese Female Artist Series.” One of
the most inventive artists at the forefront of Hong Kong’s New Ink Art Movement, Irene
Chou (1924-2011) had a dynamic career spanning from the 1950s to early 2000s. She was
remarkable for paving new possibilities in Chinese ink painting through a highly original
abstract visual language, and her exploration of modern themes informed by an interest in
metaphysics, science and literature, as well as her personal outlook on life. This exhibition
traces Chou’s artistic trajectory and considers her historical significance in a thematic
survey through the four lenses of “self hood”; “duality”; the motif of “red”; and
“world-making in motion.”

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents – Song of Spring: Pan Yu-Lin in Paris is the first major presentation of Pan Yu-Lin (1895-1977) in Hong Kong and the second instalment in the 20th Century Chinese Female Artist Series. Born of humble origins, Pan came of age during the revolutionary May Fourth era and seized the chance to be one of the first Chinese students to study fine arts in France. Unlike most of her compatriots who built their artistic careers at home, Pan developed her unique style in the competitive Parisian art world from the 1930s until her death. With over sixty works of portraiture, nude, landscape, dance figure painting, and sculpture, this exhibition explores Pan’s second period in Paris, highlighting her artistic range and distinguished style that combines eastern and western sensibilities.