The exhibition showcases the works by graduates from the undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fine art, which are jointly offered by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and the Hong Kong Art School.

One of these talents is Carol Lee Mei-kuen, who is an active champion of local independent artists. Her works in NEW HORIZONS are a visual diary of significant moments in her life, as well as a contemplation of the passage of time.

Lee created her artworks by placing various objects - personal ones such as her wedding corset - on newsprint. Through extended exposure to the sun, minimalist images of the objects were transferred onto the page, as the paper yellowed on the surface.

"My goal is to show the process of my art coming into being in the actual works," Lee remarked. "Time plays a crucial role in the creation of these pieces, in the same way as it shapes our experience in life."

The artist's calling also took a long time to realize. Because of the lack of art education in school, Lee pursued private studies throughout her hectic work schedule. The launch of the RMIT undergraduate program in 1998 was the turning point in Lee's artistic career.

"It gave me the chance to undertake formal art education without having to give up my job," Lee noted. "There're still limited opportunities to study fine art, if students don't make it to the undergraduate program in the Chinese University of Hong Kong."

Alex Heung Kin-fung too had a circuitous career path. Owing to family opposition, Heung forsook the studies of fine art for training in design. The window to artistic aspirations was open again, when Heung enrolled in the program in 1998.

"When I enrolled in the postgraduate program in 2004, I came to learn what kind of attitude an artistic should have, and what standards I should set for myself," Heung recalled.

Heung's works in NEW HORIZONS are testimony to his development as an artist. Blending Chinese philosophy with images of modern society, Heung addresses the issues of identity, autonomy and individual choices.

"My works reflect on how Hong Kong people tend to reproduce their self images from popular trends. It's almost as if we're living in a utopia, where we're all clones of an ideal that doesn't ring true in our life," Heung explained.

Both Lee and Heung agreed that intellectual stimulation is just as important as technical expertise in the studies of fine art. For Heung, art education does not only nurture talented artists, but also intelligent viewers of art.

"It's crucial to have an educated, sensitive audience," Heung pinpointed. "Hong Kong art should continue to prosper, if there is a deeper, wider appreciation of art among the general public."

Terry Batt and Kevin White, both associate professors of Fine Art at RMIT, stated that the best students of the programs are as outstanding as top students from anywhere else in the world.

"Over the last 10 years we've seen increasing maturity in the local art scene, which includes the infrastructure of art spaces," Batt pinpointed. "It's a matter of having the confidence to showcase the works, and having the knowledge to appreciate it."

In White's views, the programs also play a part in an ongoing dialogue in the art community. They bring together wonderful expertise from local and overseas artists, as well as cultivate a diverse dynamic.

"The programs cover four disciplines, which are painting, ceramics, sculpture and photography. In the future we'll focus on improving the quality of the programs, and hopefully make a real contribution to Hong Kong," White said.

Batt added that the future of the Hong Kong art world is optimistic, thanks to its ideal location in Asia. "Hong Kong is becoming a large art market, because it's a much easier environment to do large-scale auctions than the mainland."

Among the local artists in NEW HORIZONS, Irene Lau Kwai-ying catches the audience's attention with her ceramic works that play on our perception of dimension. Set in front of plain canvas, the flat ceramics bear resemblance to paintings.

"My idea is to provoke the viewers to think about the line between reality and illusion," Lau elaborated. "The artwork requires participation from the audience, as an image only makes sense to us when we invest our capacity to actively see it."

The idea of new perception is central to Lau's artistic pursuits. A dentist by day, Lau stated that art gives her an alternative way of seeing the world, which is remarkably different from her professional perspective.

"Logic is the rule in the medical world," Lau concurred. "In my own life, art is my passion. It makes me happy to indulge in the world of artistic creation, where I draw inspirations from my fellow artists, too."

Lau believed that the Hong Kong audience is heading toward a broader perspective on art. Increased media coverage, as well as the rising interest in art auctions, help raise the profile of the local art scene.

"There's a growing trend of collecting artworks in Hong Kong nowadays. Art education has also produced a group of well-informed viewers, who are taking an interest in what we do," Lau said.

NEW HORIZONS runs from September 20 to October 18 at 10 Chancery Lane Gallery Art Projects in Chai Wan. More details are available at www.10chancerylanegallery.com.

(HK Edition 10/03/2008 page4)