Media

In collaboration with the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) presents Searching through Teaching: Professor Jao Tsung-i’s 16 Years at The University of Hong Kong from March 8 to May 19, 2019. The works on exhibit, which date from Professor Jao’s 1952–1968 tenure at HKU, illustrate how this period of teaching, research and international exchange laid the foundations for his development as an internationally acclaimed scholar.

An opening ceremony of the exhibition was held at UMAG today (March 7). Officiating guests included Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of HKU Professor Paul K. H. Tam, Director of Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole of HKU Professor C. F. Lee and UMAG Director Dr Florian Knothe.

The exhibition is divided into four main areas: teaching, research, social circle, and books and artworks donated to the University by Professor Jao. Exhibits include his authored books, lecture notes, examination papers, letters, paintings, calligraphy, and part of his original collection of rare books and autographed editions.

The exhibits are on loan from the Jao family, UMAG, and the Petite Ecole. The broad assortment of items elucidates how Professor Jao’s 16 years of teaching, research, and engagement with international academic exchange at HKU led him from Hong Kong to the world stage, thus bringing a tremendous and lasting impact on the international community of sinologists.

Professor Jao expressed enduring gratitude for the University’s contributions to his achievements. He was particularly grateful to Professor F. S. Drake, Professor Lo Hsiang-lin, and Mr. Ho Kwong-chung of the Chinese Department for their encouragement and support. HKU’s structure as a research institute is a key reason that Professor Jao could focus on multiple fields of study during his 16 years on campus. As an international university, HKU also offered him an outstanding platform for cultural exchange. This platform, in addition to allowing Professor Jao to engage with local and Taiwanese colleagues, facilitated his entry into western sinology circles and his close contact with several world-renowned sinologists. This group of scholars, with whom he frequently exchanged research and insight, included Paul Demiéville, David Hawkes, Joseph Needham and Kōjirō Yoshikawa. His association with the University also allowed him to participate in a number of key international academic conferences. Ultimately, each of these factors contributed to Professor Jao becoming one of the leading authorities of his generation.

For more images and captions of the exhibits, please click here.

Details of the Exhibition
Period: March 8, 2019 (Friday) to May 19, 2019 (Sunday)
Opening Hours:
09:30 – 18:00 (Monday to Saturday)
13:00 – 18:00 (Sunday)
Closed on University and Public Holidays
Venue: 1/F, T.T. Tsui Building, UMAG, HKU, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam
Tel/Email: (852) 2241 5500 (General Enquiry) / museum@hku.hk
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.umag.hku.hk/en/

Connect with UMAG on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/umag.hku
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UMAG_HKU
Instagram: #UMAG, #JaoTsungI, #Painting, #Calligraphy
Weibo: @香港大學美術博物館UMAG

About University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong (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
UMAG Senior Communications Officer Ms Elena Cheung, Tel: (852) 2241 5512, Email: elenac@hku.hk
UMAG Programme Officer Ms Chelsea Choi, Tel: (852) 2241 5509, Email: cchelsea@hku.hk