Opening Remarks by Mr Ma Fung-kwok
Commissioner of the Hong Kong, China Exhibition
Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council

Date: June 8, 2007
Venue: Arsenale, Campo della Tana, Castello 2126-30122 Venezia

Dr Patrick Ho, honourable guests, and members of the media,

It gives me great pleasure being here today on this momentous occasion, the fourth time the Hong Kong Arts Development Council presents the works of our artists in this international event under the name "Hong Kong, China".

During the past three occasions, we not only brought to the world audience the many facets of Hong Kong art, but also sought to enhance Hong Kong's profile in the international arts scene. This year, the exhibition "Star Fairy" sets out to explore how Hong Kong "represents" itself globally. This is indeed an interesting question. Hong Kong is well-known as an international city of diversity, a unique place with a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. How or what would it be in the eyes of our artists? An island covered with oyster shells, a ferris wheel bearing a load of frozen figures, an installation weaving a multi-layer references… we have yet to discover the answer ourselves.

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council aspires to showcase the best of Hong Kong artists in the international art arena. Our participation in the Venice Biennale is an important part of the exchange and communications between Hong Kong and the international arts community and to prepare the groundwork for our representatives to forge ties with their overseas counterparts. Last year, also at this prime location, we joined hands with the Hong Kong Institute of Architects to make a debut at the 10th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition, displaying the distinct style of Hong Kong and its great works of architectural merit. The overwhelming reception that greeted this crossover project has further helped raise our standing on the world stage.

This year's Venice Biennale is particularly exciting. Artists from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan have gathered to demonstrate to the world the artistic excellence of the Chinese people.

My special thanks must go to Dr Patrick Ho, Secretary for Home Affairs of the Hong Kong SAR Government, who has come a long way to demonstrate his support to the Hong Kong arts community.  And equal thanks to Mr Zhang Jian-da, Cultural Attache of the People's Republic of China in Italy. Mr Zhang has been very supportive of our work in previous events in Venice.  Also, a big THANK YOU to all the friends from the Hong Kong arts community for their support of this exhibition. I can see a lot of familiar faces here.

Last but not least, my heartfelt thanks to the curator Mr Norman Ford, the artists Amy Cheung, Map Office and Hiram To, and all the supporting staff. Without their tireless efforts, the exhibition would not have proved such a success. Thank you.