About the Talk
This lecture focuses on the artistic practice of Hong Kong sculptor Cheung Yee from the 1960s to the 1980s. By examining the aesthetic trajectory of his sculptures, his use of assemblage technique, and the transmutation of sculptural forms across different registers, it illustrates how Cheung expanded the reach of his art beyond the gallery, integrating it instead into modern architecture and everyday life. By exploring how his artworks and commissioned projects contributed to the emergence of a cosmopolitan urban aesthetic in Asia, the lecture also re-examines the cultural role played by Hong Kong artists during a period of rapid economic transformation across the region, while highlighting the avant-garde spirit embodied in Cheung’s works.
About the Speaker
Dr. Kathy Mak is an art historian whose research focuses on the art of postwar Mainland China and the Sinophone world. She is the co-editor of Cheung Yee: Pioneer of Hong Kong Modernist Sculpture (2026). She received her PhD in Art History from UCLA and is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Chinese History and Culture at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Event Details
- Date｜24 September 2026 (Thursday)
- Time｜2:30–4:00 PM
- Venue｜Multi-purpose Area (MPA), 2/F, Main Library, HKU Libraries
- Speaker｜Dr. Kathy Mak
- Discussant｜Mr Peter Lau Man-pong
- Moderator｜Dr. Li Shi Cheng
- Language｜Conducted in Cantonese with AI-powered simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English
🌟 Free admission. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.