PolyU presents “Dr Liza Wang, Legendary Diva Cantonese Opera: Beyond Tradition” Exhibition as the Finale event of the "Artist-in-Residence Programme 2020-2021"

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) established the "Artist-in-Residence Programme" in 1999. Renowned artists from various genres are invited to be the University’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) every academic year. The AIR participates in the design of various art and cultural programmes on campus, and has fruitful exchanges with students regarding his or her artistic attainments and experiences. PolyU is honoured to have the famous artist Dr Liza Wang Ming-chun as the AIR this year.

Dr Wang has been devoted to her performing career from 1967. In the past few decades, she has starred in many classic TV series, and the characters she has played are beloved by the audience. Dr Wang is not only a well-known actress but an award-winning singer who has presented many TV drama theme songs. In 1983, she started her journey in Cantonese opera by organising a Cantonese opera troupe. She soon became well-acquainted with Cantonese opera, and in addition to performing on stage, she also devoted herself to promoting Cantonese opera culture. Dr Wang has been elected as the chairman of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong many times, leading the Association to promote the inheritance and education of Cantonese opera. Her remarkable contributions to performing arts and Cantonese opera are highly recognised and praised. Dr Wang was also awarded a PolyU University Fellowship in 2018.

The inaugural event of this year's "Artist-in-Residence Programme" was an interactive activity held in September last year. Dr Wang introduced and demonstrated the basic performance skills of Cantonese opera to PolyU students. Students could experience the four basic art elements of Cantonese opera – singing, acting, recitation and combat. In a subsequent talk on “Self-respect, Self-motivation and Self-confidence” given by Dr Wang in March this year, she shared her beliefs behind her achievements with PolyU students and staff.

Dr Wang is impressed with the emphasis on culture and art that PolyU has placed. "Students are equipped with solid professional knowledge and expertise at PolyU, coupled with the cultivation of cultural and artistic awareness. This is a holistic education model which nurtures scientists, engineers, and technical professionals with artistic understanding and accomplishments who can manage both ‘sensibility’ and ‘rationality’, thus preparing them to be the pillars of our society in the future," she said.

Professor Ben Young, the Vice President (Student and International Affairs) of PolyU, said, "Throughout our collaboration, we have been highly impressed with Dr Wang's work ethic. Her dedication, perseverance and passion are greatly appreciated. In view of the epidemic, our initial plans for the programme did not run entirely smoothly, but we dared not to give up. Instead, we were determined to overcome all hurdles. We are grateful for Dr Wang’s tremendous support to PolyU’s cultural promotion efforts, which enable the launch of a series of activities under the ‘Artist-in-Residence Programme’”

The Exhibition of “Cantonese Opera: Beyond Tradition” is the finale event of the "Artist-in-Residence Programme: Dr Liza Wang, Legendary Diva” this year and is now open. It is being held in the Innovation Gallery of the Jockey Club Innovation Tower at PolyU. A series of Cantonese opera costumes designed and worn by Dr Wang are on display. Audiences can explore how Dr Wang adds innovative elements to Cantonese opera, to endow this traditional art with a contemporary feel, without losing the beauty of Cantonese opera. In the "Beauty of Cantonese Opera" section of the exhibition, Dr Wang's dressing boxes and weapons (props) are displayed, along with a brief introduction to the history and basic art elements of Cantonese opera and also old photos of Hong Kong theatres, directing the audience to appreciate the art of Cantonese opera from different perspectives. Dr Wang also contributed over a hundred photos to the exhibition, which recapture the classic roles in her performing career.

A virtual exhibition will also be available from 30 April. Members of the public are welcome to view this exhibition online through the link below, and watch the videos of Dr Wang’s insights and her demonstration of the basic skills of Cantonese opera.

Virtual Exhibition of Artist-in-Residence Programme: Dr Liza Wang, Legendary Diva- Cantonese Opera: Beyond Tradition:
www.polyu.edu.hk/cpeo/polyuair/2020-21

Artist-in-Residence Programme

Since its establishment in 1999, the Culture Promotion Committee of PolyU has presented the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Programme every year. Artists from many different genres of art have been invited to engage with our university community. The Programme emphasises the importance of cultural exchange between the artists and participants and, most importantly, provides the chance for our students to get involved and interact with the professional artists. This specially designed Programme has been particularly well received by students, and they recognise the enormous benefits that direct guidance from these artists has brought to their artistic development.

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