The Origin

Chao Shao-an (1905-1998) and Yang Shanshen (1913-2004) were two masters of the Lingnan School of Painting, each attaining high achievement in his artistic career. They were also good friends who respected each other’s talents. Being rarely seen, their joint paintings on paper and porcelain are lesser known and mainly found in private collections. Now with the generous support of Professor Chao’s family and the Managers of Yuet Tung China Works, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is presenting these works for public viewing for the first time. Spanning the period from the 1950s to the 1980s, these works tell the story of the two venerable artists’ friendship, their artistic creations and the relationship between the Lingnan School and the Guangcai (Canton enamel) ceramic industry in Hong Kong.