Sculpting a perfect partnership

Sculptors from Hong Kong and Italy went online to collaborate on the Fusion project, discovering things about their own practice and potential in the process. Mariella Radaelli reports.

Five sculptors each from Hong Kong and Italy came together for a sculptural exchange program called the Fusion project. Each Hong Kong artist was paired with one from Italy to make new works in which stone and wood were fused together in a myriad of combinations.

The project was launched in 2021, when Hong Kong's pandemic regulations - the 21-day quarantine for inbound passengers, especially - practically ruled out overseas travel. Hence the exchange of ideas and technological know-how between Hong Kong and Italy, or more specifically the Tuscan village of Seravezza where the program's host, the Arkad Foundation, is located, took place online.

In December 2021, the 10 pieces the sculptors made together that year were exhibited at Seravezza, followed by a showing at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre. These, as well as the fruits of the second phase of the collaboration, are now on show at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.

Called Fusion 2, the exhibition features 30 composite sculptures, showcasing a coming together of Chinese and Italian materials and techniques.