Force artists display their talents
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Club's 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Deputy Commissioner (Management) Mr Fung Siu-yuen said the Club had recruited more and more members and their artistic levels had continued to rise over the past 20 years. He added that the artwork by individual members was also well received in a number of exchange activities held locally and on the Mainland.
Exhibits ranging from Chinese paintings, calligraphy, and seal carving to Western paintings were on display and viewers could not help but be impressed with the level of artistic talent inside the Force. OffBeat interviewed three of the exhibitors as examples of the excellent work on show.
Wong Chun-chuen
Wong Tai Sin Detective Sergeant Mr Wong Chun-chuen is responsible for collating criminal intelligence in his daily work. After work, he is an enthusiast in the many different styles of Chinese calligraphy. His talent has been widely recognised and he won a third-class award in the Civil Servants Painting and Calligraphy Competition last year.
"Practising calligraphy after a hard day's work provides an outlet for relieving the pressure of work," he said. "Calligraphy contributes to my peace of mind and helps me to analyse things objectively when at work."
Mr Wong also loves to practise calligraphy with friends. One of his favourite pieces on display was his calligraphic rendering of a classical poem by Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai that he did when he met his friends during a vacation in Punyu.
Ko Kam-pui
Ma On Shan Division Inspector Mr Ko Kam-pui started developing painting as a hobby five years ago after having attended some courses run by the Force Painting & Calligraphy Club.
His love of nature manifests itself in the landscapes, birds and flowers that are the favourite themes in his paintings. One of his ink drawings, 'Rhythms of Autumn', depicts the happiness of egrets awaiting their mates to return home to celebrate the harvest in autumn.
His work sometimes provides him with inspirations for his paintings. "One day, I was called to work in Sha Lo Tung and I was deeply attracted by the beautiful scenery there. Later, I produced the painting named 'River Landscape' based on what I have seen there."
Mr Ko said painting had not only helped him relieve the pressure of work but also helped foster a better family relationship. He said his wife supported him very much and even gave him advice on his compositions.
Amy Ho Siu-ching
Finance Branch Clerical Officer Ms Amy Ho's Chinese paintings give viewers a sense of joyfulness and brightness, especially in the beginning of the year. Her work, 'Nine Fishes', depicting nine carps swimming freely and happily, was one of the exhibits on display at the exhibition.
She is primarily interested in drawing portraits and it was her first attempt to depict lively creatures in their natural environment.
Her talent won real recognition at a Beijing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Chinese Painting, calligraphy & Photography Exhibition in 1998 and then again in the Civil Servants Painting & Calligraphy Competition in 2002.
"Everyone has talent in painting and can derive satisfaction from fine art. Some Club members can even exhibit their paintings one year after joining courses. That's why I encourage other Force members to join the Club and to live a healthy lifestyle," she said.
