Irene Chou 周綠雲 (1924–2011) was a pioneering Hong Kong ink painter and a key figure in the development of the Hong Kong New Ink movement. Through exhibitions and research, iPreciation has presented her work and contributed to the appreciation of her legacy in modern Chinese ink painting.
About Irene Chou
Irene Chou was a pioneering figure in the Hong Kong New Ink Painting movement, transforming traditional Chinese ink painting into a modern and expressive art form. Her bold brushwork and experimental techniques explored the universe, spirituality and human consciousness. Her paintings are recognised for their emotional intensity, philosophical depth and important place within contemporary ink art.
Early Life and Education
Born in Shanghai in 1924, Irene Chou graduated from St. John’s University in 1945 with a BA in Economics. She later worked as a journalist before moving to Hong Kong in 1949. There, she studied under the Lingnan School master Zhao Shao’ang and developed a strong foundation in traditional Chinese ink painting.
Chou gradually moved beyond conventional landscape and bird-and-flower subjects in search of a more personal artistic language. Her early training remained important, but she increasingly used ink as a means of expressing inner experience and emotion.
Development of Her Artistic Style
In the 1960s, Chou studied under the influential ink painter Lui Shou-Kwan, whose approach to modernising Chinese ink painting had a profound impact on her practice. She began experimenting with abstraction and exploring the expressive possibilities of ink, colour and gesture.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Chou developed techniques including splash ink, layered textures and her distinctive “one-stroke” method. These approaches combined traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern abstraction and gave her works a strong sense of movement, energy and rhythm.
Artistic Themes and Philosophy
Chou frequently explored the relationship between the human mind and the universe. The phrase “the universe is my mind; my mind is the universe” became closely associated with her artistic philosophy. Her paintings often contain cosmic imagery, flowing brushstrokes and swirling forms that suggest the movement of life and universal energy.
Her work also reflected personal experiences of loss, change and renewal. Through abstraction, Chou created compositions that are both introspective and dynamic, inviting viewers to consider consciousness, existence and the invisible forces that shape human experience.
Later Years and Legacy
After suffering a severe stroke in 1991, Chou underwent rehabilitation and eventually returned to painting. She moved to Brisbane, Australia, in 1992 and continued developing her practice there until her passing in 2011.
Her later works often express resilience, renewal and spiritual reflection. Irene Chou’s works are represented in major institutional and private collections internationally, and her practice continues to influence artists and scholars working in modern and contemporary Chinese ink painting.
Key Dates
- 1924 | Born in Shanghai, China
- 1949 | Moved to Hong Kong
- 1992 | Moved to Brisbane, Australia
- 2011 | Passed away
Education
- 1945 | BA in Economics at St. John’s University, Shanghai
Selected Solo Exhibitions
- 2021 | As Clouds – Ink Paintings of Irene Chou, iPreciation, Singapore
- 2019–2020 | Irene Chou Rediscovered: Paintings from the M. K. Lau Collection, Duddell’s, Hong Kong
- 2019 | A World Within – The Art and Inspiration of Irene Chou, 20th Century Chinese Female Artist Series, Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, Hong Kong
- 2017 | Irene Chou’s Universe of Ink — Solo Exhibition at Art Basel Hong Kong 2017
- 2008 | Irene Chou 84, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong
- 2008 | Life is a Many Splendoured Thing, iPreciation, Singapore
- 2007 | Life is a Many Splendoured Thing, The Rotunda, Exchange Square Central by iPreciation, Hong Kong
- 2006 | Universe of the Mind – Irene Chou a Retrospective Exhibition, University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 2006 | New Paintings by Irene Chou, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong
- 2004 | Irene Chou at Eighty, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong
- 2004 | From Representation to Revelation: The Transitional Works (1950-1990) of Irene Chou, Grotto Fine Art, Hong Kong
- 2004 | The Universe is My Heart – Exhibition by Irene Chou, Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
- 2003 | Winter Solstice, iPreciation, Singapore
- 2003 | My Universe, iPreciation, Singapore
- 2003 | The Universe is My Heart, My Heart is the Universe, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
- 2000 | The Universe is My Mind, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong
- 1999 | Solo Exhibition, Philip Bacon Gallery, Australia
- 1998 | Solo Exhibition, Rotunda, Exchange Square, Hong Kong
- 1997 | Irene Chou Painting Exhibition, (Solo exhibition), Hong Kong Bank Building, Brisbane, Australia
- 1996 | Ancient Traditions, New Images, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, Australia
- 1996 | Works by Irene Chou, Lyric Lounge, Queensland Performing Art Complex, Brisbane
- 1995 | The Cosmic Vision of Zhou Luyun, Cat Street Galleries, Hong Kong
- 1994 | The Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art, Myer Centre, Brisbane
- 1994 | Solo Exhibition, Taipei Art Museum, Taipei
- 1991 | Solo Exhibition, Godfrey Far East Art, London
- 1989 | Solo Exhibition, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong
- 1988 | Solo Exhibition, Hanart Gallery, New York
- 1987 | Solo Exhibition, Leal Senado, Museum Luis de Camoes, Macau
- 1986 | Solo Exhibition, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 1985 | Solo Exhibition, Charlotte Horstmann and Gerald Godfrey, Hong Kong
- 1983 | Solo exhibition, City Gallery, Manila
- 1981 | Solo exhibition, Raya Gallery, Melbourne
- 1977 | Solo exhibition, Raya Gallery, Melbourne
- 1976 | Solo exhibition, Quorium Galleries, Hong Kong
- 1970 | Solo exhibition, US Cultural Centre, Hong Kong
- 1968 | Solo exhibition, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong
Selected Group Exhibitions
- 2021 | Art for Everyone at HKMoA, City-wide art campaign, Hong Kong
- 2020 | UNSCHEDULED, Hong Kong Art Gallery Association, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong
- 2019 | iPreciation 20th Anniversary: Reverie Collection – 25 Years of Art Collecting Journey, iPreciation, Singapore
- 2019 | iPreciation at Taipei Dangdai 2019, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- 2019 | A Tribute to Irene Chou, Ink Society at Ink Asia 2019, Hong Kong
- 2019 | One Art Group – Pioneers of Ink Art, Galerie du Monde, Hong Kong
- 2018 | iPreciation at Fine Art Asia 2018, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- 2018 | HOPE A charity exhibition celebrating the works of outstanding contemporary Chinese women artists
- 2015 | A Legacy of Ink: Lui Shou-kwan 40 Years On, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
- 2013 | Hong Kong Masters, Rossi & Rossi Ltd, London, U.K
- 2012 | A tribute to Hong Kong Masters, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong
- 2010 | De la Chine, entre Tradition et Modernite, Galerie F. Helser, Luxembourg
- 2008 | Hong Kong Art: Open Dialogue Exhibition Series II – New Ink Art: Innovation and Beyond, curated by Alice King, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- 2007 | The Norman W. M Ko Collection of Hong Kong Art, 2007, University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 2007 | The New Face of Ink Painting: Modern Ink Painting Group Exhibition, Central Plaza, Hong Kong
- 2006 | Contemporary Hong Kong Ink Painting Exhibition, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong
- 2004 | Reconciliation Art Works, Multicultural Community Centre, Brisbane
- 2002 | Chinese Paintings from the Khoan and Michael Sullivan Collection, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- 2002 | Artists in the Neighbourhood Scheme II Launching Exhibition, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong
- 2002 | Hong Kong Cityscapes – Ink Painting in Transition, Hong Kong Festival, London, United Kingdom
- 2001 | Multicultural Women’s Business Exhibition, Australia/ In Celebration of Art – Hong Kong Arts Centre 25th Anniversary Exhibition, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
- 1999 | Sculpting Nature, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong
- 1996 | Annandale Art Gallery, Sydney
- 1995 | Lui Shou-kwan (1919-1975) and His School, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
- 1995 | Lingo – Getting the Picture, Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane, Australia
- 1994 | Art Asia 1994, Hong Kong International Fine Art Expositions, Hong Kong
- 1994 | The 25th Anniversary Exhibition of One Art Group, City Hall, Hong Kong
- 1993 | Inaugural Exhibition of the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane
- 1993 | Art Asia 1993, Hong Kong International Fine Art Expositions, Hong Kong
- 1992 | Chinese Art 1992, Godfrey Far East Art, London, United Kingdom
- 1992 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial, Hong Kong Museum of Art
- 1991 | Recent Paintings of Irene Chou and Hon Chi-Fun, The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Hong Kong
- 1991 | Six Contemporary Chinese Women Artists, San Francisco
- 1991 | Art Works of Hong Kong Women Artists, The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture
- 1990 | Art Works of Hong Kong Women Artists, The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture, Hong Kong
- 1989 | Exhibitions of 19th and 20th Century and Modern Chinese Paintings, Sotheby’s Hong Kong and Christie’s Swire, Hong Kong (to 1993)
- 1989 | The Fourth Asian International Art Exhibition, Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art
- 1989 | Thirteen Well-Known Hong Kong Painters, Nagoya
- 1988 | The XXII International Prix of Contemporary Art, Monte Carlo, Monaco
- 1988 | Hong Kong Modern Art, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
- 1988 | Ink Paintings by Hong Kong Artists, Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom
- 1987 | Ten Years of Hong Kong Painting, Hong Kong Art Centre, Hong Kong
- 1987 | Reality & Infinity-with Koo Mei, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
- 1986 | University Art Collection Show, Fung Ping Shan Museum, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 1986 | Art’ 86, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- 1986 | Hong Kong International Contemporary Ink Paintings, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 1985 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- 1985 | Foundation Prince Pierre de Monaco Exhibition, Monte-Carlo National Museum, Monaco
- 1985 | Shui Mo – The New Spirit of Chinese Tradition, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
- 1984 | Academy Award Winner’s Exhibition, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- 1983 | Art 1983, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 1983 | The Experience of Art, Hugh Moss Collection, Hong Kong
- 1983 | Contemporary Art of the Eighties, Hong Kong Art Centre, Hong Kong
- 1983 | Woman Artists’ Show, Hong Kong Women’s Art Council, Hong Kong
- 1982 | Contemporary Art from Hong Kong, Metropolitan Museum of Manila
- 1982 | Exhibition of International Association of Ink Painters, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Seoul
- 1982 | Contemporary Vision of Landscape, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- 1981 | Art 1981, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 1981 | Contemporary Art of Chinese Intellectuals, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong
- 1981 | Inaugural Exhibition, Japan! International Artists Society
- 1980 | One Art Group Exhibition, National Museum of History, Taipei
- 1980 | Hong Kong Art, Yolanda Gallery, Chicago
- 1979 | One Art Group Exhibition, National Museum, Singapore
- 1979 | New Raya Inaugural Exhibition, Raya Gallery, Melbourne
- 1979 | Hong Kong Art, Australia
- 1978 | Art’ 78, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 1978 | One Art Group Show, Hong Kong
- 1977 | First Choice Hong Kong Exhibition, Hong Kong (annually until 1986)
- 1977 | Hong Kong Arts Centre Inaugural Exhibition, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
- 1977 | Women Artists, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong
- 1977 | Art-The Visual Experience, Hong Kong
- 1976 | Critics’ Choice, St. John Hall, Hong Kong
- 1976 | Art’ 76, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- 1975 | Cleveland International Drawing Biennial, London
- 1975 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- 1975 | Five Artists Exhibition, National Taiwan Arts Centre, Taiwan
- 1975 | Hong Kong Artists 1975, St. John’s Hall, Hong Kong
- 1975 | Hong Kong Painters, Luz Gallery, Manila
- 1974 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art, Hong Kong Art Festival, Hong Kong
- 1973 | Chinese Ink Painting, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong
- 1973 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art Exhibition, City Hall Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong
- 1973 | Five Contemporary Chinese Artists, Mavis Chapman Gallery, Sydney, Australia
- 1972 | International Society of Plastic and Audio-Visual Art (ISPAA). Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea
- 1972 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art, Pacificulture Asia Museum, Pasadena, California
- 1972 | One Art Group, City Hall, Hong Kong
- 1972 | Art Now Hong Kong, Evansville Museum, Indiana
- 1971 | Art Now Hong Kong, London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester, United Kingdom
- 1971 | Contemporary Chinese Ink Painters, Lee Nordness Gallery, New York, United States
- 1970 | 202nd The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, United Kingdom
- 1969 | 201st The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, United Kingdom
- 1969 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art, City Hall Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong
- 1968 | In Tao Art Association, City Hall, Hong Kong
- 1968 | Contemporary Hong Kong Art, City Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong
Awards
- 1988 | Hong Kong Artists’ Guild Painter of the Year Award
- 1983 | Urban Council Fine Arts Award for Painting (Chinese Media)
- 1972 | Pacificulture Asia Museum Fine Art Award
Selected Collections
- Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- British Museum, London, United Kingdom
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA
- Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Chinese The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong (formerly known as Fung Ping Shan Museum), Hong Kong
- Norman W. M. Ko Collection, Hong Kong
- M. K. Lau Collection, Hong Kong
- M+, Hong Kong
- Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
- National Museum of History, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan
- National Art Gallery, Manila, Philippines
- City Gallery, Manila, Philippines
- Raya Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
- Hong Kong Land, Hong Kong
For further information about Irene Chou, her exhibitions and collections, please contact the gallery at [email protected].
Further Information
For additional information on Irene Chou and her work, please refer to the following resources:
Institutional and Reference Resources
Articles and Exhibition Features
Images of Artworks
