June 17-20, 2006

TaoHo 70/30 Exhibition: The Creative Voyage of an Internationally-acclaimed Architect

Co-presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre, TaoHo Foundation and The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), the four-day long TaoHo 70/30 Exhibition was kicked off today (June 17 Saturday). An opening ceremony was held today in the afternoon at The Pao Gallery of the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Officiating guests included Sir David Akers-Jones, The Hon. C Y Leung and The Hon. Patrick Lau, members of the TaoHo Foundation advisory board, Mrs. Cissy Pao Watari, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Arts Centre, Prof. Bernard V. Lim, President of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, and Mrs. TaoHo.

Dr. TaoHo is a planner, architect, designer and artist rolled into one — a rarity in today’s world. He is renowned in the architectural world and has received numerous awards and accolades. In addition to architecture, he is also involved in other disciplines such as painting, sculpting and artistic design. His multidimensional creativity and prolific artistic output is a constant source of amazement to many.

In 2002, Dr. TaoHo suffered a stroke while on a business trip to China and is still convalescing today. In order to bring Dr. Ho’s work to the public, his close friends and students have formed the “TaoHo Foundation”. Its objectives are to groom talented designers by offering both professional and financial assistance and to raise the working spirit of Hong Kong’s young generation. The Foundation has invited The Hon. Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the HKSAR to be the patron. Members of the advisory board include Sir David Akers-Jones, The Hon. C Y Leung and The Hon. Patrick Lau.

The first activity organised by the TaoHo Foundation, TaoHo 70/30 Exhibition started today and continues through the 20th at The Pao Gallery of the Hong Kong Arts Centre. The exhibition features Dr. Ho’s creations in architecture, city planning, painting, sculpting, design and other areas, all of them showcasing the creativity of this maestro. TaoHo 70/30 Exhibition is curated by Ms. Josette Balsa and Ms. Agnes Ng.

Dr. TaoHo and the Hong Kong Arts Centre have a long history together. He was one of the initiators and the chief designer of the Arts Centre which opened in 1977. The building received the HKIA Silver Medal in the following year. As the Hong Kong Arts Centre enters its 30th year and in celebration of Dr. TaoHo’s 70th birthday, the exhibition is entitled “TaoHo 70/30 Exhibition”.

The TaoHo 70/30 Exhibition encompasses the best of Dr. TaoHo’s creations over the decades. They include architectural projects like the award-winning “St. Stephen’s College Extension, Hong Kong” (1981), “King Tower in Jinqiao Industrial Zone, Shanghai” (1996), “Wing Kwong Pentecostal Church, Hong Kong” (1999) and numerous other architectural masterpieces; master planning projects such as the “Hangzhou Lake Shore Urban Plan” (1985) and “Development Strategy of Gibraltar” (1989); a set of 10 ink paintings of the beautiful “MacLehose Trail” of Hong Kong (1992) and over 20 paintings from other times; sculptures such as the “Cat/Mouse” (1994) and seven other sculptures made of left-over steel sections collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art; artistic designs including the “1997 flag and emblem of the HKSAR” (1997) and the “1997 Caran d’Ache Pen” (1997); and a series of concept plans such as the “West Kowloon Reclamation Development” and “Redevelopment of Ocean Park, Hong Kong”. They are representatives of Dr. TaoHo’s amazing creativity and productivity, and those who are involved in architecture and design as well as the public can all get a better understanding of the work of this master through this exhibition.

The Pao Gallery, Hong Kong Arts Centre

17 June 2006 04:30 PM – 8 PM

18-20 June 2006 10:00 AM – 8 PM
PRESENTED & ORGANIZED :

Hong Kong Arts Centre

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA)

TaoHo Foundation, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects