Speeches

Speech by CS at The Opening Ceremony of Shahzia Sikander: Apparatus of Power (English only)

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at The Opening Ceremony of Shahzia Sikander: Apparatus of Power today (March 14):

Mr Ronnie Chan (Co-chairmen of Asia Society and Chairman of ASHK), Ms S. Alice Mong (Executive Director of ASHK), Ms Shahzia Sikander, Mrs Amna Naqvi (Director of AAN Foundation), Consul General, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the Opening Ceremony of “Shahzia Sikander: Apparatus of Power” at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.

Asia Society has been widely known for its dedication in promoting arts and culture to the general public. Since the opening of the Hong Kong Center at this unique heritage site in 2012, it has been delivering a wide diversity of arts and culture events, both classical and contemporary, to Hong Kong people and tourists. Following the success of many previous shows at this gallery, I am delighted to see another extraordinary exhibition here at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center today.

Shahzia Sikander is a pioneer who dares to challenge the framework of aesthetics of traditional Pakistan miniature painting. Her magnificent works in the exhibition present to us a glimpse of the culture, politics, history, and humanity of a nation in transition. The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to developing our city as an international cultural metropolis with a distinct identity grounded in Chinese traditions and enriched by different cultures. I am glad to see that our local art scene is enriched with such a fascinating exhibition. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Asia Society Hong Kong Center for bringing such a wonderful exhibition to Hong Kong, and I look forward to seeing more fabulous exhibitions in the years to come.

Indeed, this is the fifth time I officiated at the opening of exhibitions of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center in my capacity as Chief Secretary for Administration. As Board Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, every occasion provides a precious opportunity for me to learn more about various art forms. The exhibits that I was privileged to see on previous occasions cover a nice variety ranging from the Italian masterpiece painting Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio to Israeli artifacts and two of the world's greatest archeological finds – the Gabriel Revelation Stone and the Grate Isaiah Scrolls; and from traditional Chinese objects with bat motifs to creative products presented by our local designers. The Asia Society Hong Kong Center has, through its diversified exhibitions, outperformed its role in enhancing cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. This contributes to better understanding amongst different cultures and ethnicities, and hence greater harmony. At the same time, the staging of these high-quality exhibitions enhances Hong Kong’s position as a cultural hub.

We are proud that Hong Kong is progressively growing and flourishing into an international cultural metropolis. I am sure art lovers here can feel the same rich atmosphere of arts and culture as much as I do, for we are enjoying an exciting series of fairs and events on our cultural calendar especially in the month of March. Following its successful debut last year, Art Central, which features over 100 international and Hong Kong galleries, will be on the show to the public at the Central Harbourfront next Wednesday. And, almost at the same time, the fourth edition of the Art Basel Hong Kong, the Hong Kong edition of the world's premier modern and contemporary art fair, will take place starting from next Thursday. The Hong Kong Arts Festival started last month and will last until 20 March. And, exciting events are taking place outdoors as well : with two renowned British sculptors’ work now on display in Central, Sir Antony Gormley’s Event Horizon Hong Kong presented by the British Council showcasing 31 life-size sculptures and the Lynn Chadwick Exhibition comprising 25 works staged by the Hongkong Land. These major public art initiatives enrich Hong Kong’s cityscape and skyline as well as our art ecosystem.

I am also proud to tell you that, in addition to the West Kowloon Cultural District project which we have been pressing ahead, as well as the PMQ, our iconic hub for creative industries, we have a new centre for heritage and art named Tai Kwun, situated in the former Central Police Station Compound. It is scheduled to open in late 2016 and will surely bring new culture and leisure experiences for all to enjoy and attract more creative talents.

I am sure that Hong Kong’s art and cultural landscape will continue to flourish in the future. Meanwhile, let us first enjoy the first major solo show of Sikander in Hong Kong. Let us be impressed and inspired.

May I wish the exhibition a huge success. Thank you very much.