Hong Kong’s premier ink art event, UOB Art in Ink Festival, returns in December, promoting artistic inclusion

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2024 – UOB Art Academy and UOB Hong Kong are pleased to announce the return “UOB Art in Ink Festival” (Festival), Hong Kong’s premier ink art celebration, running from 13 to 29 December 2024 in the West Kowloon (WestK) Cultural District. With UOB Hong Kong as the title sponsor and UOB Art Academy as the organizer and curator, the third edition of the Festival promises an exciting line-up including a curated art exhibition, hands-on workshops, an insightful panel discussion and the anticipated debut of the festival. InkFinity Correct. Over a period of 17 days, the Festival will transform WestK’s Art Park Art Pavilion and High Lawn into dynamic spaces for artistic exploration and cultural exchange.

This year’s UOB Art in Ink Festival aims to showcase the transformative potential and versatility of ink art through innovative features such as InkFinity Correctwhich combines entertainment with education. Inclusivity is a key focus with the introduction braille and audio guidesensuring that visitors of varying abilities can fully experience the vibrancy and beauty of ink art, while celebrating its ability to inspire and enlighten. WestK is the supporting organization of the Festival.

Ms. Marietta Li, Director, UOB Art Academysaid: “The UOB Art in Ink Festival serves as a vibrant platform to celebrate and promote ink art, embracing both its traditional roots and innovative future. We are excited for visitors to enjoy a unique ink art experience at the indoor and outdoor locations at WestK, a cultural landmark in Hong Kong. We look forward to welcoming arts and culture enthusiasts from Hong Kong and beyond to this spectacular celebration.”

Ms. Adaline Zheng, CEO, UOB Hong Kong, said: “UOB believes in the transformative power of art to foster social connections and enrich lives. We are delighted to host the UOB Art in Ink Festival at WestK to showcase the enduring appeal of ink art to both local and international visitors. The festival helps us maintain tradition while encouraging creativity and supporting cultural connectivity and social sustainability. We invite all Hong Kongers to immerse themselves in ink art this December, promoting outstanding Chinese culture and strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international art center.”

Highlights of the UOB Art in Ink Festival at the Arts Pavilion

The activities listed below will take place at the WestK Arts Pavilion. Entry is free. To enter the Arts Pavilion, prior registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/2024-uob-art-in-ink-festival-2024-tickets-1054598324979?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Program of the Arts Pavilion*:

data	Opening hours	Last admission
Usual dates: 13 – 20 December 2024 December 23, 2024 26 – 29 December 2024	11:00 – 21:00	8:30 p.m
Special occasions: 21 – 22 December 2024 24 – 25 December 2024	11:00 – 18:00	5:30 p.m

* The schedule is subject to change according to the rules of the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Introducing the winners of the UOB Art in Ink 2024 awards – Since 2017, UOB Hong Kong has been hosting the annual UOB Art in Ink Awards to discover local artistic talent, promote innovation and revitalize the ancient tradition of ink art. As part of the UOB Art Collection, the presentation of the winners of the UOB Art in Ink 2024 awards will feature 19 winning artworks from abstract, landscape and figurative genres. The full list of 2024 winners will be announced on December 12, 2024.

InkScribble Hub – Artists convey their emotions and create a variety of textures using different brushes and techniques. to InkScribble Hub, visitors can watch video demonstrations and try different techniques. The Hub showcases this distinctive medium, passed down through the generations, giving visitors a new perspective on the artworks on display.

InkMagination workshops – 13 famous local ink artists including Dr Chui Pui Chee, Rebecca Hon Ngan Ting, Dr Hung Keung, Christine Lee Chi Man, Rainbow Leung, Ling Pui Sze, Tony Ng Kwun Lun, Sim Shum Kwan Yi, Frank Tang Kai Yiu, professor Tong Kam Tang, Yau Wing Fung, Stephanie Yeung Chung Nga and Simon Yung Chee Mun, will guide participants in exploring the potential of ink art. A total of 38 workshops are open for registration, including seven winter camp sessions designed for more in-depth engagement with various ink art techniques. These four-hour sessions will conclude with participants receiving a certificate upon completion.

The remaining 31 workshops consist of two-hour sessions covering both traditional and contemporary techniques, including fine brushwork (Gongbei), free hand (Xieyi), abstract, collage and frictions. Separate pre-registration is required for all workshops starting on 22 November on the UOB Art in Ink Festival website: https://www.artininkfestival.com.hk.

Two-hour workshops are priced at $400, while four-hour winter camp sessions are available for $800. Both options include an exclusive workshop led by a local ink artist, along with a set of postcards, including a $200 game stamp card that gives access to 10 interactive games and a souvenir at InkFinity Fair at the High Lawn. Participants aged 17 and under, as well as those aged 60 and over, can enjoy a 50% discount.

All proceeds will be donated to the UOB Art Academy, supporting art education for Hong Kong’s underprivileged communities.

Highlights of the UOB Art in Ink Festival at High Lawn, Art Park

The following activities will take place at the High Lawn, next to the Arts Pavilion. Daily opening hours are from 11:00 to 21:00. Pre-registration is required to enter the High Lawn: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/2024-uob-art-in-ink-festival-2024-tickets-1054598324979?aff=oddtdtcreator.

InkFinity Correct – Open to participants of all ages, inauguration InkFinity The fair aims to inspire and educate while fostering a deeper connection to various ink art forms in an engaging community setting. For a contribution of US$200, visitors can enjoy all the games and receive an exclusive set of postcards along with a game stamp book, illustrated by Hong Kong ink artist Yau Wing Fung. The Gaming Stamp Card provides access to 10 fun and interactive gaming booths. Game stamp cards are available for purchase at the Arts Pavilion and the UOB Art Academy stand in the fairgrounds. All proceeds will be donated to the UOB Art Academy, supporting arts education for Hong Kong’s underprivileged communities.

Interactive installation: 60 Hopes Ahead – In the run-up to the 60th anniversary of UOB Hong Kong, the main sponsor of the UOB Art in Ink Festival, Hong Kong artist Dr Alex King has created an interactive installation entitled 60 Hopes Ahead. The installation consists of 60 colorful panels, each representing a desire for perspective shared by individuals born between 1965 and 2025. Visitors are invited to explore these stories and bring their own hopes, which can be presented in an ink artwork which will be revealed in 2025. .

Combining art with technology, 60 Hopes Ahead it not only celebrates past achievements but also inspires a collective vision for the future through the universal language of art. Black panels feature braille designs that spell out “Ink Art Festival” in Chinese, emphasizing the importance of inclusion. In addition, the panels are linked to an augmented reality (AR) rendering of the title’s calligraphy, accessible via mobile devices. The installation encourages visitors to engage with it in their own way, underscoring UOB’s commitment to promoting a sustainable and inclusive society.

InkSpectacle Improvised performance – InkSpectacle captivate audiences with music inspired by the winning artworks of the UOB Art in Ink Awards 2024. From 21 to 28 December 2024, performers from diverse backgrounds and abilities — including children, students, disabled artists and the elderly — will improvise on the High Lawn, giving the audience a chance to experience the beauty of ink art through this unique audiovisual performance. .

For more details, please visit https://www.artininkfestival.com.hk.

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About UOB Art Academy

Established in 2015 in Hong Kong and recognized as a registered charity in 2023, UOB Art Academy serves as a creative hub that connects communities and inspires through art. Living by his motto “Art at heart; Ink for All’, the Academy is dedicated to making art more accessible, cultivating local artistic talent, revitalizing cultural heritage and encouraging cross-cultural exchange. The Academy achieves its goals through initiatives such as the UOB Art in Ink Awards, art outreach programs and various collaborations in Hong Kong and beyond.

Since its launch in 2017, the UOB Art in Ink Awards have been dedicated to promoting and supporting Chinese ink art as a distinct art form and representation of Chinese culture. Supported by the UOB Art Academy as Arts Partner, the Awards not only encourage innovation in the medium, but also celebrate the outstanding achievements of local artistic talent. In 2023, the Awards were expanded to Mainland China as a campus edition and are further expanded in 2024 to include the Emerging Artist category.

For details, please visit www.UOBArtAcademy.com.hk.

About UOB

UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its headquarters in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of approximately 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its establishment in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the best banks in the world: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For nearly nine decades, UOB has taken a customer-centric approach to creating long-term value by staying relevant through its entrepreneurial spirit and doing right by customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for and connecting people and businesses within ASEAN.

The bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unmatched regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalized banking experiences and solutions that meet the unique needs and evolving preferences of each customer. UOB is also committed to helping companies build a sustainable future by promoting social inclusion, creating a positive impact on the environment and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of the arts, children’s social development and education, doing good by communities and stakeholders.