An Art Exhibition featuring internationally acclaimed master Huang Yongyu's works was officially opened in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Born in 1924, Huang Yongyu was best known for woodblock prints. He turned to ink painting until 1960s, and is also highly praised for his literary works.

The exhibition, which was held in celebration of Huang's 80th birthday, featuring ink paintings, sculptures and ceramics works began its tour in Beijing earlier this year and Hong Kong will be the final stop.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong Elsie Leung paid tribute to Huang as a dynamic artist, who had been very active in the pursuit of artistic creation even at the age of 80.

"It is not mere a compliment to describe Huang as a versatile artist. He can always surprise us," Leung said.

"Huang has untiringly devoted himself to the study and exploration of artistic creation and has pioneered new techniques which are not bound by one style.

The paintings on lotus included in this exhibition display fully Huang's achievements in painting. His works range from the delicate and colorful gongbi paintings to the freestyle brushwork paintings.

One cannot help but marvel at the depth of his knowledge in Chinese painting and his impeccable skills in using the brush and ink and the mediums of paper and silk. But what is the most touching about Huang's art are the emotions embedded in his paintings.

Combining traditional methods with Western oil painting techniques to create a completely new effect, Huang Yongyu gained an international reputation as a pioneer in the reformation of Chinese painting.

Huang described those combinations were all natural but not artificial. He also felt satisfied with all of his works. Every piece of them has reflected his own philosophy which he thought was a common practice among most artists, said Huang at the pre-exhibition which was held before the opening ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2004)