"Wesley Tongson - The Journey" Book Launch & Talk
Venue: Asia Society, Hong Kong
Date: July 9, 2019, Drink Reception: 18:30; Presentation: 19:00 - 20:15
Evening book launch and talk by renowned curator and art historian, Catherine Maudsley, curator of “Wesley Tongson - The Journey”, an exhibition at the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (October 12, 2018 - March 9, 2019). The talk delves into the curation process, the inspiration behind conceiving the exhibition as “A Journey” and meaning of Wesley Tongson’s art. This will be followed by a conversation among Catherine Maudsley, Tina Pang, curator of Hong Kong Visual Culture at M+ and Cynthia Tongson, the artist’s sister.
The book documents the acclaimed solo exhibition of Hong Kong ink artist, Wesley Tongson (1957-2012), featuring 23 works, including the artist’s signature finger paintings, and a selection of Tongson’s never-before published personal notes. Included are new essays about the artist and his work by curator Catherine Maudsley; Mary Ann Milford, Carver Chair in East Asian Studies at Mills College; and Wu Song, Professor at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute.
Increasingly recognized as an important ink artist, Tongson created emotionally communicative art through “finger painting” where he abandoned the brush and painted directly with his fingers and fingernails, creating powerful pieces, a hallmark of his later, mature period. The book, “Wesley Tongson - The Journey” recaps the artist’s poignant legacy and career, offering multiple viewpoints and insights into this innovative and creative artist, his work, and process.
Visit Asia Society's website to register --
