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I am delighted to have
the chance to contribute a few words to
welcome this exhibition of wonderful works
of Buddhist art from Paul Kan's remarkable
collection.
Hong Kong is a busy
place, everyone always seems to be in
a hurry. Time to think is rare for most
of us. So it is good to see an exhibition
that will make us all slow down and pause,
not only to admire the grace and beauty
of the figures and images, but also perhaps
to spend some precious time in reflection.
Buddhism conquered China
over approximately the same period as
Christianity conquered Rome. Both brought
an emphasis on the contemplative search
for wisdom, or understanding of the divine
in life. The turning inwards that both
religions encouraged was very different
from the dominant, publicly oriented creeds
of either the Roman or the Han imperial
societies.
Perhaps because of this
spiritual character, both religions inspired
great art, especially painting and sculpture.
Down to the 17th century the majority
of great works of European art are in
some way inspired by Christianity. This
is perhaps rather less the case with Buddhism
in China, but nevertheless, as this exhibition
shows, a similarly wonderful thread of
inspiration has run through Chinese art
too.
Paul has chosen to share
with us a number of works of different
genres, each remarkable above all for
the exquisite detail of their workmanship
but each also radiating the calm sense
of meditation that is at the core of the
faith that inspired them. Compassion,
the virtue we principally associate with
Guanyin, is also one of the central virtues
of Christianity. The spirit of Peace and
Harmony that these works of art convey
is an aspiration that should be deeply
shared by all, especially in the difficult
world we inhabit together.
Such dedicated and skilled
artistry, whether in painting or pottery
or bronze, is rare, even impossible to
find today. We can only gaze in admiration
at the craftsmanship and capacity for
devotion of former ages, and treasure
the examples left to us.
I hope you enjoy the
exhibition as much as I shall.
Stephen Bradley
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