Fu Qiumeng Fine Art is pleased to announce that FQM artist Yau Wing Fung (b. 1990) is featured in “8 times 8 – Stories · Series · Systems in Mythology and Art” at The University of Hong Kong’s University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG). The exhibition runs from March 21 to June 8 and will coincide with Art Basel Hong Kong, taking place from March 28 to 30, 2025.
Artist Yau Wing Fung stands with Meta-2 & Meta-3 at the UMAG ©lmage courtesy of the artist.
This group exhibition investigates the number eight's symbolic power and visual narratives, spanning traditional Chinese arts and crafts to contemporary works by artists from East and West. An emblem of infinite cycles, cosmic balance, and abundant energy, the figure 8 also signifies wealth in Cantonese-speaking communities and new beginnings in the Christian tradition. As a Fibonacci number, it resonates universally and appears in Asian art through the 8 Trigrams, 8 Immortals, and 8 Auspicious Buddhist symbols—often interconnected in serial narratives. By showcasing the work of six contemporary artists—including FQM artist Yau Wing Fung—alongside traditional applied art, the exhibition demonstrates that serial and systemic narratives remain vital strategies in artistic practice today.
Among the featured works, Yau Wing Fung’s Meta-2 (2023) and Meta-3 (2024) offer a contemporary exploration of serial and systemic narratives, demonstrating how individual components function within a broader network of interrelated elements. Meta-3 was previously shown in Yau’s solo exhibition “Illusion” at Fu Qiumeng Fine Art (New York, Feb 10–Mar 9, 2024). In his Meta series, Yau depicts the same landscape eight times, retaining its overall form while altering colors and techniques with each iteration. This approach expands the perception of time and space, each variation deepening his engagement with traditional Chinese landscape painting. Subtle details—like drifting clouds or a bare branch—stand out against the background, underscoring the interplay between subject and object and capturing distinct temporal qualities. By encouraging viewers to slow down and notice these shifts, Yau fosters a deeper awareness of our place in nature’s continual, boundless rhythm. While the title “meta” alludes to the metaverse, Yau emphasizes “meta” in the sense of “beyond,” suggesting that the supposed boundary between tradition and modernity is only a human construct. Through this fluid approach, culture and identity surpass rigid definitions, allowing the present state of mind to connect with the enduring essence of Chinese landscape art.
Juxtaposed with historical objects from the UMAG collection, Yau’s works investigate how form, color, and manipulated imagery generate dynamic interactions between individual elements and overarching systems. We invite you to discover Yau Wing Fung’s Meta series at The University of Hong Kong and uncover fresh layers of meaning and interconnected relationships that transcend time.
