Ink Rhymes Through a Millennium: Calligraphy by Cheung Cheuk Wai

Calligraphy is the soul of Chinese characters and the lifeblood of Chinese civilization. 

From the archaic simplicity of oracle bone inscriptions and bronze inscriptions, to the uniformity of Qin dynasty seal script and the vitality of Han dynasty clerical script; from the disciplined structure of Wei and Jin regular script, to the fluidity of running script and the untamed energy of cursive script—the birth of each script form reflects the spirit of its age.

The opening of the exhibition was held at UMAG on October 15. Officiating guests included Mr Joseph Lau Chairman of Yi Geng Shu Xue She, Ms Angelina Cheung Daughter of Artist, Dr Florian Knothe Director of UMAG, and Ms Kitty Lam Curatorial Assistant of UMAG.

Calligraphy has never been merely an art of lines. It embodies a vast spectrum of themes: the temperament of the calligrapher, the vibrant energy of living beings, prayers for blessings, the grandeur of mountains and rivers, the profundity of philosophical thought, the faithful transmission of classical verse, and the ideals of statecraft and official loyalty.

For centuries, countless individuals have devoted their lives to its study and practice. What makes calligraphy so compelling is that it is not merely an aesthetic pursuit, but a philosophy—and ultimately, a discipline of life itself. Between lifting the brush and setting it down, every nuance—the weight of the wrist, the speed of the brush tip, the density of the ink—is a true reflection of the inner state of mind.

The University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong is pleased to present the special exhibition Ink Rhymes Through a Millennium: Calligraphy by Cheung Cheuk Wai from 16 October 2026 through 10 January 2027. The display features works by the late Hong Kong calligrapher Cheung Cheuk Wai, covering a wide range of scripts and themes, showcasing the millennia-long history of Chinese characters. It offers a step into the world of brush and ink, to appreciate—between each stroke and each dot—not only Mr. Cheung’s lifelong devotion to calligraphy, but also the beauty of Chinese characters and the profound depth of Chinese culture. 

Details of the Exhibition
Period: October 16, 2026 (Friday) to January 10, 2027 (Sunday)
Opening Hours:
9:30 am–6 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
1 pm–6 pm (Sunday)
Closed on Mondays, Public and University Holidays
Venue: 1/F & 2/F Fung Ping Shan Building, UMAG, HKU, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Tel/Email: (852) 3917 5500 (General Enquiry) / museum@hku.hk
Admission: Free admission; In light of the HKU Tourist Flow Management Scheme, please enter via the ground floor of the Fung Ping Shan Building
Website: https://umag.hku.hk/tc/exhibition/ink-rhymes-through-a-millennium-calligraphy-by-cheung-cheuk-wai/

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rednote: 香港大学美术博物馆UMAG

About UMAG
UMAG was founded in 1953 as the Fung Ping Shan Museum. It was originally established as the Fung Ping Shan Library in 1932 in honour of its benefactor. For more information on UMAG, please click here.

Media Enquiries
Tel: (852) 3917 5504, Email: musnews@hku.hk 

Captions
For more images and exhibit captions, please click here.