The Light of Hope: Hsiao Chin 90th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibition

Hsiao Chin (1935 - 2023), the renowned post-war Chinese abstract master artist, was born in Shanghai and hailed from Zhongshan, Guangdong. He is celebrated as a pioneer of modern abstract art and is widely recognised in both Eastern and Western art circles for his significant contributions to the development of Chinese modern abstract art. Co-founded the Ton Fan Art Group, the first post-war Chinese art collective, Hsiao Chin also co-founded the Punto International Art Movement in Milan in 1961. An important theorist and activist in modern art history, he was deeply engaged in the international art community and dedicated to fostering dialogue between the East and the West.

 

The year 2025 marks the 90th anniversary of Hsiao Chin’s birth. Organized by the Guangdong Museum of Art and co-organized by Hsiao Chin Art Foundation and 3812 Gallery, "The Light of Hope – Hsiao Chin 90^th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibition" is held at Guangdong Museum of Art (Bai’etan Venue) to commemorate this pioneer of modern abstract art and to honour his outstanding legacy in the art world and lifelong achievement. The exhibition is one of a series of major exhibitions celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the Guangdong Museum of Art (Baie'tan).

 

The theme of 'light' has been a constant thread throughout Hsiao Chin’s artistic journey over seven decades, serving as a powerful symbol of life. From the exploration of cosmic energy during the Punto movement in the 1960s - where the infinitesimal self yearns to merge  with the vast cosmos - to the emotional restoration and contemplation of Buddhist philosophy following heartbreaking loss of his daughter Samantha in the 1990s; and finally to the celebration of energy, hope, and love from the 2000s onward, 'light' has accompanied Hsiao Chin on his journey from the grand cosmic self to a profound concern for humanity and insights into the true nature of life. He embodies a fundamental sense of hope, projecting a radiant beam of brightness even through even the darkest and most mysterious realm. Over time, he has returned to the pure essence of life, embracing a path of simplicity and sincerity, and reconnecting with the fullness of the circular realm.

 

Curated by Mr. Calvin Hui, Co-founder and Chairman of 3812 Gallery, “The Light of Hope” continues the artist's international museum exhibition tour, which has included notable stops in Hong Kong (2018), Shanghai (2018), Paris (2019), Latvia (2020), Beijing (2021), London (2022), and Macau (2023). Featuring pivotal works from the 1950s to his later years, the exhibition reflects the overarching theme of "The Light of Hope," guiding viewers on a spiritual odyssey through Hsiao Chin's artistic evolution spanning seven decades.