Kan Tai-keung

1942

Panyu Guangzhou China

An active design educator and artist, Kan Tai-keung is one of Hong Kong’s most famous graphic designers and noted ink painters. Born in 1942 in Panyu, Guangzhou, Kan has resided in Hong Kong since 1957. His passion for painting developed early on in his childhood, and his grandfather, Kan Yaosheng, a clay sculptor, encouraged his pursuit of art. Kan first studied watercolour painting and sketching with his uncle Kan May-tin in 1964. In 1967, he began attending design classes taught by Wucius Wong and Chinese ink painting lessons under Lui Shou-kwan. Concurrently, he began working as a professional designer. In 1969, he began creating his own ink paintings, and became a member and chairman of the One Art Group. Kan was an active participant of Hong Kong’s New Ink Art Movement and has continued to explore his unique brand of creativity. Since the early 1970s Kan has been actively involved in art and design education, and has influenced many of his pupils. In 2005, Kan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Design from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and in 2016 awarded the HKDA Lifetime Honorary Award by Hong Kong Designers Association. He is now the Honorary Dean of the Cheung Kong School of Art and Design, Shantou University, and was the Guest Professor of Central Institute of Fine Arts in Beijing and Guest Professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Alisan Fine Arts held two solo exhibitions for Kan Tai-keung in 1985 and 1990, and included his works in two group exhibitions for Lui Shou-kwan and his students in 1995 and 2015. In her opening remarks for the gallery’s 1985 solo exhibition for Kan, Baroness Lydia Dunn commented that “Kan is a fine example of a highly talented artist combining as he does the techniques and traditions of both China and the Western world.”

His works are widely collected by museums and private collectors alike, and are in the collections of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis; Art Society of International Monetary Fund, Washington DC, USA; Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Oxford, Oxford; Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK; Taiwan Provincial Art Museum, Taichung, Taiwan; National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China; M+, Hong Kong; Hong Kong Museum of Art; Hong Kong Heritage Museum; University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Jockey Club; Cathay Pacific Airways; Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation; Chase Manhattan Bank; Bank of East Asia; Museum Luís de Camões, Macau; Beijing Television & Broadcasting Station in China.

BIOGRAPHY

1942 Born in Panyu, Guangzhou, China

1957 Moved to Hong Kong as an apprentice and worked as a tailor for 10 years

1964 Studied drawing and watercolour with his uncle May Tin

1967 Studied Chinese ink painting with Lui Shou-kwan and graphic design with Wucius Wong at the Department of Extra Mural Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

1968 Graduate study in Florida, USA

1975 PhD in Physics, University of Maryland, USA

1976 Established his own design firm, Hong Kong

1979 1st designer to receive Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Hong Kong Award, Hong Kong

1984 3 paintings were selected by Hong Kong Government as gifts for the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Finance Minister of Japan

Won the Gold Award at the International Art Competition, Los Angeles, USA

1986 Design the logo of Bank of China, China

1995 First Chinese person to be included in “Who’s Who in Graphic Design”, Switzerland

1999 Conferred the Honour of Bronze Bauhinia Star by Hong Kong Government

Collaborated with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to give a performance, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong

2002 Invited by China Central Television (CCTV) for a feature story

2005 Honorary Doctor of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

2007 Cooperated with Royal Copenhagen (Royal Porcelain Factory) and designed a porcelain dinner set named “Flora Banquet” to celebrate the reunification of Hong Kong to China

2010 Conferred the Honour of Silver Bauhinia Star by Hong Kong Government

2016 Awarded the HKDA Lifetime Honorary Award by Hong Kong Designers Association

Guest Professor at the Central Institute of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
Guest Professor at Tsinghua University, Fine Arts College, Beijing, China
Honorary Advisor of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

2023 Published "Kan Tai-keung. Mind. Footprints” and gave a lecture at Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong

International jury, Xi'an TDC Award, Xi'an, China

2025 Served as a judge, UOB Art in Ink Awards, Hong Kong
Present Honorary Dean of the Cheung Kong School of Art and Design, Shantou University, Guangdong, China

Board Member of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Honorary Advisor of Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
Advisor of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong
Fellow Member Committee of Alliance Graphique Internationale

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025

Chinese Spirit: 60 Years of Kan Tai-keung Creative Journey, China Design Museum, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China

2024

Ink · Design · Chao: Kan Tai-keung Solo Exhibition, Chaozhou Art Museum, Chaozhou, China
Kan Tai-keung’s Mind and His Own Step Solo Exhibition, University of Hong Kong Libraries, Hong Kong

2023

My Collection My Mind: Kan Tai-keung's Design and Ink Exhibition, Art Museum of Guangxi Normal University Press Group, Guilin, China
Art of Kan Tai-keung, Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, Shenzhen, China

2022

Mini Ink Art Exhibition: Kan Tai-keung, The Book Shop, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong

2020

Aoyama Creators Stock 18: Paper+Stone by Kan Tai-keung, Aoyama Mihoncho, Tokyo, Japan

2019

Kan Tai-keung 50+2 Art Design Exhibition, Dalian Art College, Dalian, China

2016

Ink as Superior, Fei Gallery, Guangzhou, China

2012

Hong Kong Design Legacy and Beyond: The 70 Fruitful Years of Kan Tai-keung, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong

2010

Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

2008

Feelings of the Brush, Paintings by Kan Tai-keung, University Museum & Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Dialogue: Erhard Gruettner and Kan Tai-keung-Poster Exhibition, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong
Ink Painting and Beyond, Kan Tai-keung's One-man Exhibition, Ink painting, Poster, Sculpture, Art Gallery at Soho East, Hong Kong

2003-2004

From Life to Mind: Kan Tai-keung’s Design and Art – An Asian Solo Exhibition Tour by Kan Tai-Keung, Alliance Française de Singapour, HaKaren Art Gallery, Singapore

2002

Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong

1991

Hong Kong Seibu Art Gallery, Hong Kong

1990

Recent Ink Paintings by Kan Tai-keung, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

1989

Isetan Department Store, Tokyo, Japan

1988

Museum Luís de Camões, Leal Senado, Macau

1986

Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong

1985

A Visual Trio: Pine, Mountain & Cloud, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

1984

Hui Arts Gallery, Minneapolis, USA

1983

The American Library, Hong Kong

1980

Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025

An Era of Change: Two Dimensional Ink Art, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong

Contemporary Art Exhibition of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangdong Museum of Art (Baietan), Guangzhou, China (until Oct 31)

The Study of Local Art Development: Ink Painters’ Impressions of Hong Kong, Asia World Expo, Hong Kong

2024-2026

Shanshui: Echoes and Signals, M+, Hong Kong

2024

The Black and the White, the Void and the Solid: Contemporary Hong Kong Ink Art, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong

Word Play, Alisan Fine Arts, Central, Hong Kong
A New Era of Ink Painting in Hong Kong: 1st Chinese Cultural Festival, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong
Ode to the New Era, Inaugural Exhibition, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China

The Glory of Ink Painting: From Lingnan School of Painting to Greater Bay Area Contemporary Ink Painting Exhibition, Inaugural Project, Shenzhen Art Museum, Shenzhen, China

2023

Ink Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
Modern Masters from Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Cromwell Place, London, UK
Sayhear for Art: 20th Anniversary of Hear Talk Foundation, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong

2022-2023

Alisan in Wonderland, Alisan Fine Arts-Aberdeen, Hong Kong
By the People: Creative Chinese Characters, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
Renewed Creativity, Wuhan Tiandi, Wuhan; Design Society Sea World Culture and Arts Centre, Shenzhen; Nan Fung International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Guangzhou, China

2022

50 Years of Love: Joint Exhibition of Mr. and Mrs. Kan Tai-keung, Chinese Arts and Crafts, Hong Kong
Landscapes Through Time, Fine Art Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
New Rhythm of Line: Contemporary Hong Kong Ink Art, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong

2021-2022

Hong Kong: Here and Beyond, Main Hall Gallery, M+, Hong Kong
Individuals, Networks, Expressions, South Galleries, M+, Hong Kong

2021

Affordable Art, Alisan Fine Arts-Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Myriad Vision of Art: Dual Solo of Kan Tai-keung and Lam Tianxing, Kingsart, Hong Kong

2020

Uniquely Hong Kong: A Celebration of Hong Kong Art, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Consciousness of Borders, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China

2019

Hong Kong Experience • Hong Kong Experiment, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong

2018

When Less is More, Alisan Fine Arts-Aberdeen, Hong Kong

2016

Being and Inking: Documenting Contemporary Ink Art 2001-2016, Redtory Museum of Contemporary Art, Guangzhou, China
Alisan Fine Arts: Celebrating 35 Years of Promoting Chinese Contemporary Art, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong

2015

A Legacy of Ink: Lui Shou-kwan 40 Years On, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

2013

Kan Tai-keung and Students’ Designs on Adored Objects, Gallery of HKICC Lee Shan Kee School of Creativity, Hong Kong
The Origin of Tao: New Dimensions in Chinese Contemporary Art, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong

2010

Legacy & Creations: Ink Art vs Ink Art, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China

2009

Selected Hong Kong Artists, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

2008

Hong Kong Art: Open Dialogue Exhibition Series II – New Ink Art: Innovation and Beyond, curated by Alice King, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
From the Heart: Paintings by Kan Tai-keung, University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong

2007

Hong Kong Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting Exhibition 2007: In Celebration of 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong‘s return to the Motherland, Artist Commune, Hong Kong
The New Face of Ink Paintings: Modern Ink Painting Group Exhibition and Symposium, Sino Group, Central Plaza, Olympian City, Hong Kong
Seeing is Believing: Recent Works of Kan Tai-keung Exhibition & Painting Demonstration, 15 Homantin Hill, Hong Kong
The New Face of Ink Paintings – Modern Ink Painting Group Exhibition and Symposium, Sino Group, Central Plaza Wan Chai, Olympian City 1 West Kowloon, Hong Kong

2006

Contemporary Hong Kong Ink Painting Exhibition, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong
5th Shenzhen International Ink Biennial, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China

2005

Shantou University Cheung Kong School of Art & Design, Guangdong, China

2004

4th Shenzhen International Ink Biennial, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China

2003

Of Ink and Chairs: Kan Tai-keung + Freeman Lau, Art and Design Exhibition, DDD Gallery, Osaka; Shizuoka University of Art and Culture, Tokyo, Japan

2001

Hong Kong Cityscapes: Ink Painting in Transition, Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies, London, UK

1997

Hong Kong Art 1997: Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Beijing & Guangzhou Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Guangdong Art Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China

1996

Mindscape, Paintings by Kan Tai-keung, Trigram Gallery, Hong Kong

1995

Lui Shou-kwan (1919-1975) & His School, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
Rhythm from My Mind, Asian Arts Centre, Towson State University, Maryland

1991

Kan Tai-Keung Landscape Painting, Hong Kong Seibu Art Gallery, Hong Kong

1982

Contemporary Vision of Landscape, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong

1972

Contemporary Hong Kong Art, City Hall Museum and Art gallery, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong

SELECTED AWARDS

1979 1st designer elected as "Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons"

1981 Hong Kong Urban Council Award (Painting category-Chinese media), Hong Kong

Gold Award in Mercury Award, New York, USA
1st Prize, 1st International Computer Art Biennale, Poland

1984 Gold Award, International Art Competition, Los Angeles, USA

The only designer to receive Urban Council Design Grand Award, Hong Kong

1987 2nd Hsing Shih Biennial Award, Taiwan

1991 Designer Award, Hong Kong Artist of the Year, Hong Kong

1995 1st Prize, 1st International Computer Art Biennial, Rzeszów, Poland

1998 Outstanding Achievement Award, Hong Kong

1999 Honour of Bronze Bauhinia Star, HKSAR

2010 Honor of Silver Bauhinia Star, HKSAR

2016 HKDA Lifetime Honorary Award, Hong Kong Designers Association, Hong Kong

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

University of Connecticut, Connecticut, USA
Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota, USA
Art Society of the International Monetary Fund, Washington DC, USA
Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK
Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Staatliche Museum, Munich, Germany
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, Germany
Union des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, France
Museum of Decorative Art, Copenhagen, Denmark
Ogaki Poster Museum, Ogaki, Japan
Suntory Design Museum, Osaka, Japan
Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Guangdong Art Museum, Guangzhou, China
China Central Television, Beijing, China
Taiwan Provincial Art Museum, Taichung, Taiwan
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
M+, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong
University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, Hong Kong
Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank, Hong Kong
Chase Manhattan Bank, Hong Kong
Bank of East Asia, Hong Kong
Museum Luís de Camões, Macau