Foreword

Over the past two decades, Hong Kong's visual arts scene has experienced an exciting revival in print art. Since 2014, the Hong Kong Open Printshop has continuously received support from the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme (ACDFS), empowering us to organise unique exhibitions and activities to promote print art from innovative perspectives. Moreover, major academic institutions have expanded their offering of printmaking courses, contributing to a growing interest and deeper understanding of printmaking among the younger generation in Hong Kong.

Since 2018, the Hong Kong Open Printshop has been encouraging and nurturing young printmaking enthusiasts through the HKOP Award in Printmaking. This initiative provides them with access to the resources of The Print Lab, enabling them to create their artworks and showcase them at the HKOP Gallery. One of the recipients of the second HKOP Award in Printmaking is Li Ning, whose distinct choices of themes, visual style, and creative techniques have made him stand out. Notably, he has consistently challenged himself in recent years, bringing a fresh perspective to the local printmaking scene

Thanks to the continued support of the ACDFS, the Hong Kong Open Printshop has been organising a new series of exhibitions and activities since last year, titled Beyond Paper. One of the programmes within this series is the HKOP Research Fellow, which aims to encourage and support establishing printmakers in further developing their artistic careers. With his passion and unique proposal, Li Ning showcased his expertise, knowledge, and skills, earning recognition from the judges. Throughout the year, he dedicated himself to exploring, refining, and developing printmaking techniques. Drawing upon his research findings, he has created a series of works intended to serve as demonstrations and explanations for the audience, hoping to expand the boundaries of local print art.

The works presented in this exhibition are a result of this background. We warmly welcome your feedback as you immerse yourself in the show. Through these opportunities for idea exchange, we aspire to foster the development and advancement of local print art.

Fung Ho-yin

Mentor, HKOP Research Fellow

Executive Director, Hong Kong Open Printshop

Exhibition Description

Memory and emotion are deeply intertwined, each triggering the other. In an era of emotional turmoil, memories can become disordered. As human beings, we have acquired the ability to recall memories and grasp the past after enduring countless life-and-death moments and triumphing over the threats posed by nature. However, this ability has also ushered in a state of chaos. We haphazardly piece together and manipulate different memories, sometimes even resorting to misuse and fabrication, resulting in a jumble of emotions

In the realm of printmaking, a matrix serves as the base from which a print is made it could be an intaglio plate, a relief woodblock, a lithographic stone, a serigraphic silkscreen, or a metal plate for an offset press. The term "matrix" inevitably brings to mind the classic science fiction film, alluding to the unique nature of printmaking, Painting, on the other hand, is a gradual, step-by-step process akin to a hunter tracking his prey by following footprints. It allows viewers to connect with the artist's thoughts through brushstrokes. The imagery of printmaking exudes a certain calmness. The image seems to materialise out of nothing, much like planning a city in the dark. When the blueprint is finally completed, and the power is turned on, the entire city appears in an instant. Each inking becomes an activation, breathing life into the world of the image.

We often seek to understand everything around us by finding directions within the most familiar things. Imagine viewing the process of printmaking as a world. If the printed side (the image) represents the world we inhabit, can we perceive the existence of the matrix (the printing plate)? How does the world on the other side (the printing plate) operate? How can we identify the moments when these two realms intersect?

Through the research, I embarked on a journey to explore new directions for my artworks by reviewing and examining my printmaking methods and techniques. For instance, I have experimented with incorporating collage images into three-dimensional installations, capturing the installation on film, and ultimately presenting them in video format. The entire exhibition revolves around the theme of memory, with the process of printmaking serving as the metaphor, delving into the discovery of the matrix.

I would like to express my appreciation for the support provided by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme and the Hong Kong Open Printshop, which have made this research project possible. Additionally, I am grateful for the support and assistance I have received from friends and collaborators throughout the research, creation, and exhibition production process. Special thanks to Chan Yi-ting, Tinnie (Technical Support for Screen Printing), Cheung Tszki, Jacky (Framing and Exhibition Production), Lau Ka-chun, Jay (Installation and Exhibition Production), Eyla Lee (Visual Design) Chen Wing-ki (Video Editing), Lau Yiu-wai (Video Sound Effect), Yiu Kwan-ho (Video Voice-over), Lo Chak-tung, Frankie (Video Subtitle Translation), and Yau Ka-yue, Iris (Content Winting).

Li Ning

Hong Kong Open Printshop Research Fellow 2022/2023