Jockey Club-supported exhibition showcases women in ancient China

Exclusively supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Women and Femininity in Ancient China – Treasures from the Nanjing Museum opened on 30 November 2022 at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Featuring a selection of 118 female-related artefacts from the Nanjing Museum, which are being exhibited in Hong Kong for the first time, the exhibition runs until 27 February 2023. The exhibition is one of many initiatives supported by the Club’s approved donation of HK$630 million to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

Guests officiating at the exhibition’s opening ceremony on 29 November, included HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung, HKSAR Government Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture) Eva Tam, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community Dr Gabriel Leung, Nanjing Museum Vice Director Wang Qizhi and Hong Kong Heritage Museum Director Fione Lo.

Dr Leung said the Club was honoured to support this exhibition, which provides an eye-opening insight into the lives and talent of women in ancient China while also promoting Chinese traditional culture and art. Indeed, the Club has spared no effort to support local arts and culture as well as the Central Government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Women and Femininity in Ancient China – Treasures from the Nanjing Museum spans the Shang dynasty to the early 20th century. Through pottery figures from the Han and Tang dynasties, delicate textiles and embroidery arts, imperial accessories and exquisite works of art, it showcases the evolving story and multiple talents of women in ancient China. Highlights include Li Duanduan by Tang Yin, Ode to the Plum Blossoms and Ancient Court Ladies at Leisure by Chen Hongshou, as well as paintings by renowned female artists Wen Chu, Li Yin and Ma Quan.

To enhance the visitor experience the exhibition incorporates multimedia and interactive elements. Outside the exhibition gallery, a contemporary reflection section examines how local popular culture shapes the image of women today. Other accompanying Club-supported education programmes include lectures, workshops and dance performances for schools and non-governmental organisations.

The Club’s support for The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax and charity support for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series is a partnership between the Club and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Launched in 2012, it has brought world-class exhibitions to Hong Kong, enabling visitors to appreciate masterpieces from different places, times and cultures. The exhibitions are complemented by a variety of education and outreach activities to describe the historical and cultural context. Recent exhibitions include The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation; Dunhuang: Enchanting Tales for Millennium and The Road to the Baroque – Masterpieces from the Capodimonte Museum.

Over the past 25 years, the Club has been able to increase its contribution to the community via its integrated business model. As a world-leader in the sport of horse racing and one of the ten largest charitable donors in the world, the Club is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of our society. Then, now, always, we are together with Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2021/22, the Club returned a total of HK$33.6 billion to the community. This included HK$27.0 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$6.6 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city's major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.