Timeline

The Department opens, initially offering one full-year course in Chinese art to 11 students. The full-time teaching staff includes Chuang Shen (seconded from the Department of Chinese) as Head and Judy Ho. The support staf includes Clara Wong as Secretary and Kitty as Clerk. The Department is housed in the Fung Ping Shan Building, sharing space with the Fung Ping Shan Museum.

The Department begins to offer Western art history with the hiring of Carolyn Muir. Judy Ho resigns after the first semester, so that the teacher staff remains at 2. Karen Wong is hired as the Department’s first Resources Officer, and Alan Lui as the Department’s first Technician.

Nina Corazzo joins the Department to teach modern art. Hsu Wen-chin joins the Department to teach Chinese art, making for a teaching staff of 4. With all three year groups now being taught for the first time, the total enrollment for undergraduate courses reaches 74.

Chuang Shen goes on leave for one year, swapping positions with Chou Ju-hsi, from Arizona State University, who joins the Department for one year and serves as its Head. Two students lead a field trip to China. Karen Wong leaves the Department at the end of the academic year.

Chuang Shen returns to the Department, which also welcomes Shih Hsio-yen, who joins the Department as Chair Professor and Head. The teaching staff now comprises 5 full-time teachers. The Slide Library gains an experienced librarian as its Resources Officer in Sydney Fung. Shih Hsioyen leads a field trip to Japan. Hsu Wen-chin leaves at the end of the academic year, as does our Clerk, Kitty.

Molly Ho is hired to teach Japanese and Buddhist art, and Kathryn Heleniak is hired for one year to replace Carolyn Muir and Nina Corazzo, each taking leave for one semester. Maria Cheng becomes the new Clerk. With space tight in the Fung Ping Shan Building, the Department is granted space in the Main Building, with the move taking place in the second semester. The Slide Library, technician’s office and darkroom are housed in a subdivided MB238, with MB240 reserved as a large space for studio work and art exhibitions.

With its unfilled 6th position, the Department begins a smallscale studio program staffed by part-time teachers, to complement its mission of art history teaching with some hands-on studio experience. Molly Ho leads a field trip along the Silk Road. The Department organizes the exhibition, “Modern Sculpture from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch,” in the Fung Ping Shan Museum. Alan Lui leaves the Department at the end of the academic year.

Tommy Cheung joins the Department as its new Technician. Chuang Shen leads a field trip to Taiwan. Molly Ho leaves the Department at the end of the first semester, and Clara Wong leaves at the end of the academic year.

Richard Stanley-Baker joins the Department to teach Japanese and Buddhist art. Betty Kwong becomes the new Department Secretary, but leaves after one year. Grace Wong joins the Department as Demonstrator. Richard Stanley-Baker leads a field trip to Japan. Regular art exhibitions of local artists begin to be held, with the Department organizing the exhibition, “Choi Yan Chi’s Painting 1976-1986 and Works of Art in Dialogue with Poetry and Dance” in MB240, as well as “The Drawn Image: Facsimile Drawings from the Albertina Collection of Graphic Art, Vienna,” in the Fung Ping Shan Museum. Nina Corazzo leaves the Department at the end of the first semester.

David Clarke joins the Department as the modern art specialist. Sylvia Cheng becomes the new Department Secretary. David Clarke leads a field trip to Italy. The Department organizes the exhibition, “Nancy Chu-Woo: Drawings and Paintings of Human Figures” in MB240.

With Chuang Shen on leave for the academic year, Harold Mok is appointed as his replacement. The Department organizes two exhibitions in MB240: “Art for Art ‘Sick’: Exhibition of Ricky Yeung” and “David Hockney/Wallace Stevens/Pablo Picasso.” The total enrollment for all undergraduate courses is still modest, this year reaching 60. Chuang Shen then retires at the end of the academic year. Maria Cheng also leaves the Department.

Shih Hsio-yen resigns at the end of the first semester as Head after 6-1/2 years, staying on in the Department as Chair Professor. Carolyn Muir is appointed as Head. Frankie Kum becomes the new Department Clerk. Shih Hsio-yen leads a field trip to Japan. The Department organizes three exhibitions in MB240: “Janet Echelman. Recent Works from the Bali Studio: acrylic paint and colourdye on canvas,” “A Sense of Place: Exhibition of recent works by Chan Chi-ling and Wong Wo-bik,” and “Intaglio Prints by Wong Chi Tim, Joseph.” Harold Mok leaves the Department at the end of the academic year, as do Sylvia Cheng and Tommy Cheung.

Wan Qingli joins the Department to teach Chinese art. Sharon Li becomes the new Department Secretary and Edwin Leung joins as the new Technician. The Department organizes one exhibition in the Fung Ping Shan Museum: “An Exhibition of Huang Po Chan/Obaku Zen Calligraphy and Painting” and two exhibitions in MB240: “An Exhibition of Works by Chan Wan Yiu,” and “Life and Freedom: Sculpture by Norman W.M. Ko.” Frankie Kum leaves the Department.

Yan Pui Ling becomes the new Department Clerk. Shih Hsio-yen leads a field trip to India. The Department organizes three exhibitions in MB240: “Paintings and Drawings by Mei Lo,” “Artworks by Ho Siu Kee,” and “Impossible Dialogue: Drawings by Chan Wai-bong and Chan Yuk-keung,” in MB240. Student numbers start to grow, with the total undergraduate enrollment reaching 99.

The Department offers its courses to Social Sciences students, its first expansion beyond the Faculty of Arts. Wan Qingli leads a field trip to China. The Department organizes an exhibition, “BODY: An Installation by Comyn Mo,” in MB240.

Rajeshwari Ghose joins the Department as a part-time teacher, adding courses in Indian art and Southeast Asian art to the curriculum. Shih Hsio-yen retires in March 1993, and Sydney Fung retires at the end of the academic year. The Department begins its development of the Fine Arts Interactive Visual Archive (FAIVA). Shih Hsio-yen leads a field trip to China. The Department organizes an exhibition, “KARAOKE: A Photographic Installation,” in MB240.

Grace Wong is hired as the Resources Officer, and Jane Leong is appointed as Demonstrator for one year. Chou Ju-hsi rejoins the Department as its Chair Professor. With Rajeshwari Ghose having been appointed to a half-time position, the Department increases its teaching staff to 5-1/2. The Department
successfully bids for funds to renovate MB238 and MB240. Rajeshwari Ghose leads a field trip to India. The Department organizes two exhibitions in the Fung Ping Shan Museum: “Sand Mandala” and “Engaging Tradition: Violation by Oscar Ho.” Sharon Li leaves the Department.

The studio program is scaled down to two courses closely linked to the two first year art history courses. The renovation of MB238 and MB240 is completed. Karen Leung joins the Department as its new Secretary, and Angela Lam as its new Demonstrator. The Department organizes an exhibition in the Fung Ping Shan Museum, “Exhibition of Colour Photographs on Ajanta Caves.” By this time, student numbers have greatly increased, with the total undergraduate enrollment reaching 220.

Rajeshwari Ghose is appointed full-time, giving the Department 6 full-time teachers. The Department successfully bids for a 7th post, effective from September 1996, in the area of early Chinese art. Motoaki Kono arrives as a Visiting Professor for the academic year. Chou Ju-hsi leads a field trip to Taiwan, and Rajeshwari Ghose leads a field trip to India. The Department organizes an exhibition in the newly named University Museum and Art Gallery, “Chinese Folk Art Exhibition.” The University institutes a new system of departmental majors, with 17 students choosing to major in Fine Arts. The Department is formally reviewed as part of the University’s new procedures and receives an excellent report. Chou Ju-hsi retires at the end of the academic year.

The Department is not permitted to fill the Chair Professor post, as severe budget cuts are imposed throughout the university. Wang Wen-jian joins the Department with a specialty in early Chinese art, maintaining the staffing number at 6. Angela Lam leaves the Department at the end of the academic year.

The curatorial staff of the University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) agrees to teach a course in museum studies for the Department. Jack Lee becomes the Department’s new Demonstrator. C. T. Yeung leads a field trip to China. Rajeshwari Ghose retires from the department at the end of the academic year. Due to the continued budgetary crunch, the Department is not allowed to fill this 6th position, and is reduced once again to 5 full-time teachers. The studio program for first year students is cancelled due to budget constraints.

The Department celebrates its 20th anniversary with various activities during the first semester, including a well-attended alumni dinner, the exhibition “In the Footsteps of the Buddha: An Iconic Journey from India to China” in the Fung Ping Shan Museum and a one-day international symposium of the same name. The exhibition attracts much favorable press attention, including reports in Time Magazine and the International Herald Tribune. Wang Wen-jian leads a field trip to China. The UMAG curatorial staff offer the museum studies internship for the first time.

The Department makes a strategic shift of direction to increase its offerings in Western art. Wang Wen-jian leaves the department and is replaced by Greg Thomas to teach 19th century art. The UMAG curatorial staff agrees to teach courses in Chinese material culture. Pikyee Kotewall is hired part-time to teach the first year course in Chinese art. The total undergraduate enrollment continues to rise, reaching 477. At the end of the first semester, Carolyn Muir resigns as Head after 11 years, staying on in the Department as Associate Professor. Richard Stanley-Baker is appointed as Head. Chuang Shen dies in August 2000 and a memorial celebration is held in his honor.

The FAIVA system becomes available via the University Intranet, making it more widely accessible to staff and students. Shih Hsio-yen dies in May 2001. A memorial dinner is held in her honor and the Professor Shih Hsio-yen Memorial Fund is established.

Edwin Lai joins the Department as a post-doctoral fellow, offering courses in the history of photography. After hovering at around 15-17 new Fine Arts majors per year, the number jumps to 25.

The Department introduces an annual workshop for majors. The Slide Library is renamed as the Fine Arts Resources Centre in recognition of its wider role.

The annual study skills workshop is opened up to Fine Arts minors as well as majors.

Edwin Lai continues to teach for the Department on a part-time basis. Richard Stanley-Baker retires at the end of the academic year, having served as Head for 5-1/2 years. David Clarke is appointed as Head. Pikyee Kotewall leaves the Department at the end of the academic year.

Wan Qingli takes leave for the academic year and Koon Yeewan is appointed for one year as his replacement. Sandy Ng is appointed to teach part-time. Koon Yeewan leads a field trip to Japan. The number of new majors rises to 31, with the total undergraduate enrollment reaching 709.

Roslyn Hammers and Koon Yeewan join the Department, bringing it back to a full-time teaching staff of 5, and offering courses in Chinese art, Japanese art and Indian art. Together they lead a field trip to Taiwan. The first Shih Hsio-yen Distinguished Lecture in Art History is held, with Martin Powers of the University of Michigan as the invited speaker. The Department becomes part of the School of Humanities, losing its status as a Teaching Department, following the restructuring of the Faculty of Arts. Sandy Ng leaves the Department at the end of the academic year.

Alexandra Green is appointed as Research Assistant Professor, with a specialty in the art of Burma and Southeast Asia. Jo-Ann Van Eijck is appointed on a part-time basis to teach a course in African art. The total undergraduate enrollment reaches an all-time high of 806, with an unprecedented number of 41 new Fine Arts majors.

The Department celebrates its 30th anniversary with an alumni dinner in October. Alexandra Green organizes the conference Rethinking Visual Narratives from Asia in June and publishes its proceeding with Hong Kong University Press. In July, Koon Yeewan leads a field trip to Japan, where students spend 3 weeks volunteering at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial.

Part-time lecturers Laura Ng and Jo-Ann van Eijck offer courses on Japanese art and arts of Africa respectively. George Chan becomes the Department’s new Demonstrator.

Roslyn Hammers leads a field trip to Shanghai in October. Minyong Cho teaches a course on Islamic art as a Research Scholar from the Society of Scholars in the Humanities. Michelle Huang and Stacey Pierson are appointed on a part-time basis to teach contemporary Chinese art, and Chinese ceramics and museum studies.

The Department receives a 6th full-time teaching position due to the Centennial Recruitment plan and Opher Mansour joins the Department, offering courses on Baroque art in Europe, early-modern cultural exchange, and Western architecture. Alicia Weisberg-Roberts is appointed to teach collecting and garden history of Western culture. Together the couple lead a field trip to Taiwan in October. Alma Mikulinsky teaches early 20th century European art in the Department as a Research Scholar from the Society of Scholars in the Humanities. Koon Yeewan organizes the conference A Connective History of Qing Art in June, followed by a summer field trip to Japan, where students volunteer at the 5th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial.

Major changes take place as the Department moves from Main Building to Run Run Shaw Tower over the summer. While it settles in a high rise environment, it confronts with the implementation of a new academic structure for tertiary education in Hong Kong. Students under the three-year curriculum and four-year curriculum enter year one in September. In response to the new curriculum, Roslyn Hammers offers the Department’s first Common Core course. Florian Knothe begins his service as the director of UMAG, taking up courses on museum studies with his fellow curatorial staff. Elisa Lai is appointed on a part-time basis to teach Hong Kong art and contemporary Chinese art. Alicia Weisberg-Roberts stays. Nicole Fung becomes the new Demonstrator. Koon Yeewan organizes an international conference Encounters: Art and Artists of 20th Century China in February. Carolyn Muir, having taught at the Department for over thirty years, retires at the end of the academic year and alumni return for her farewell dinner party.

Katherine Moore joins the Department as an Assistant Professor, teaching courses on Renaissance and Islamic art and architecture. The compulsory methodology survey course for Fine Arts majors begins this year. Hwang Yin is appointed a part-time lecturer to teach printmaking and Buddhist art. Koon Yeewan and Roslyn Hammers lead a group of students to the UK in December. The Department has an unprecedented number of 45 majors and 12 minors graduate.

Kathleen Wyma is hired as David Clarke’s full-time replacement when he is on a full year research leave. Part-time lecturers including Elaine Kwok, Catherine Mauldsley, Josefine Baark and Hwang Yin teach for the Department. The last class under the three-year curriculum graduates and the Department begins offering new specialized classes for third-year students in their four-year curriculum. Opher Mansour leads a field trip to Spain in the fall. Artstation in the University Artists Scheme works with our students to build a site-specific installation on the Centennial Campus. Later in the year, it is announced that in Hong Kong’s 2014 Research Assessment Exercise, the Department tops HKU’s research output ratings.

Kathleen Wyma stays to cover for Katherine Moore’s resignation. She lectures on modern art, contemporary art, Indian art, and American art. Ruby Leung is appointed a part-time lecturer, teaching courses on literati art and culture. Asia Art Archive contributes in the teaching of Hong Kong art workshop. Greg Thomas organizes a research symposium exploring the role of the Jesuits in the production of art and architecture in China in the 17th and 18th centuries. The new Faculty Dean, Derek Collins, shows great enthusiasm in supporting the Department to host public events, including the talk with Cai Guo-qiang and Yoshitomo Nara at Loke Yew Hall in April, and later in July, the 5 day summer programme co-organized with Christie’s Education.

David Clarke retires after 30 years of service at the Department, commemorated by the joyous DEXIT party in December and the launching of his lectures on Youtube. Koon Yeewan is away for a fellowship programme at Columbia University. The number of internship partners expands to five, including Asia Art Archive, Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Oil Street, and University Museum and Art Gallery.

Vivian Sheng joins the Department, teaching courses on contemporary art and theories. Coming for a year, Greg Bryda and Jawon Lee offer courses on the Renaissance and Korean art. Ruby Leung, Alicia Weisberg-Roberts, and Kathleen Wyma continue to hold their teaching roles at the Department. The second semester is packed with exciting activities. Alicia leads a field trip to the UK while Vivian brings students to Beijing. There is also a range of well-attended seminars, workshops, and co-organized public events, including the Asia Art Archive symposium in January, as well as the Guerrilla Girls happenings in March.

Chan Chun Wa and Elizabeth Lastra join the Department this year, offering courses respectively in East Asian art and architecture, and Medieval art and architecture in Europe as well as that of the Islamic world. While Greg Thomas is in charge of the MA programme preparation, Koon Yeewan and Roslyn Hammers co-chair the Department. Koon Yeewan leads a field trip to Korea, visiting Gwangju Biennale in which she participates as a curator when she goes on leave. During the spring reading week, Vivian Sheng brings a group of students to Shanghai and Opher Mansour brings another group to the Netherlands.