Karin Weber Gallery is excited to announce ‘Whispering Canopies’, a solo exhibition by Hong Kong artist Frank Tang, which explores the historical development of a place through its urban landscapes, memorial gardens and local plants.

Tang’s brand-new series ‘Tree Portraits’ reflects the artist’s engagement with a commemorative theme based around landmark subjects, drawing from his personal interest in trees and monuments. Trees have long lifespans and those towering in urban areas bear witness to city development, social events and peoples’ livelihoods through generations. Moreover, the unique form of each tree is shaped by its organic growth. From the perspective of appearance and temporality, ancient trees may hold more landmark significance than many types of architecture. What have these ancient trees witnessed? Are there any events they have forgotten?

Using trees as his central theme, Frank Tang uncovers forgotten histories via geographical locations and their background. Hong Kong was once a barren and desolate environment. The British colonial government undertook large-scale afforestation and introduced foreign tree species planted in British-style gardens, nurturing a sense of nostalgia for the expat population. The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is a key example of this practice, and is the inspiration for Tang’s Tree Portrait #4 – Lysidice, which is based on the lysidice trees in the garden.

An artist residency in Taiwan in 2022 introduced Tang to Dutch and Japanese colonial histories. His new creations from the ‘Memorial Garden’ series including paintings such as Green Island, In the Eyes of King George VI, and Sunset At Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park reflect his exposure to a parallel culture with a comparable historical narrative.

Gallery address: 20 Aberdeen Street Central