Special Stamp Issue -- "Hong Kong Art Collections"
Opening Speech by Dr Patrick Ho
Chairman, Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Date: February 24, 2002
Venue: 1st Floor, General Post Office, Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin this fresh morning with a few fines from the English poet William Blake (1757-1827):

    To see a World in a Grain of Sand
    And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
    Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
    And Eternity in an hour.

Today, that image is revived every time you look at a Hong Kong postage stamp. It is a tableau in miniature of Hong Kong's past and present.

The pictorial postmark of "FIRE KILLS, PREVENT FIRE" warns us of the danger that lurks during our dry and breezy autumn. The "My Wish" special issue showed our support for Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

These are just two of numerous examples.
Every Hong Kong stamp, it can be said, is a mirror that reflects a glimpse of us - in our grandest and noblest moment, or when we let our hair down and enjoy ourselves.

Every Hong Kong stamp is a goodwill ambassador. It travels far and wide, bearing a piece of Hong Kong legend to every corner of the world. That piece can be one of our distinguished people, cultural events or traditional festivals, or indigenous fauna or flora.

What the postage stamp delivers is an impression of our distinctive landmarks, our vibrant community, our lofty ambition and vision. Besides their postal function, our stamps through their vivid design and local flavour, also serve the community by promoting Hong Kong to the rest of the world.

That they are so successful in conveying the attractions of Hong Kong is the sole credit of the stamp designers, who are very often top-ranking local artists. Through their sharp perception, artistic skill and delicate touch, they bring life to Hong Kong stories. These tiny stamps are reminders that arts can, and do, serve the community. Through their unique perspective, individual artists bring a different part of Hong Kong into focus.

Hong Kong has as many facets as there are stamp designers, each with its own blazing glory. This special issue of " Hong Kong Art Collections" is a vivid example.

The four stamps are reproductions of works by renowned local artists housed in the Hong Kong Museum of Art. They are works by Mr Chui Tze-hung, Mr Hon Chi-fun, Mr Aries Lee and Ms Irene Chou. Though created in different media, they are all uniquely rich and profound in the exploration of life and universal meaning, and every one a timeless delight.

The Post Office is one of the public organisations with vision to bring arts to the community, and the community to the arts. The Post Office has set up a good example by bringing the arts closer to life in the local community and overseas. I sincerely urge other organisations to take up the challenge and break new ground, bringing Hong Kong arts to every part of the world.

I congratulate the Post Office on its success, and wish it even greater success in the future. Thank you very much.