Irene Chou (周綠雲) (b.1924–2011) was a key pioneer of the Hong Kong New Ink movement. Blending abstraction, gesture, and spiritual inquiry, she transformed traditional ink into an expressive modern language, now held in major international museum collections.
No.14, Life is a Many Splendoured Thing, 2006, 68x68cm, 111.5×111.5cm (Black Frame), Ink and Colour on Paper *Price: $35,000.00
*Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
Biography
Irene Chou (周綠雲) (1924–2011) was a pioneering figure of the Hong Kong New Ink movement and one of the most important female artists in modern Chinese ink history. Born in Shanghai and later based in Hong Kong and Australia, Chou transformed traditional ink painting into a deeply personal, spiritual, and abstract visual language. Her work explores the inner cosmos of the mind, drawing upon Zen Buddhism and Daoist philosophy to express emotion, transcendence, and the mysteries of existence.
Educated at St. John’s University, Shanghai, Chou received formative guidance from Zhao Shao’ang of the Lingnan School and Lui Shou-kwan, whose New Ink theories inspired her radical departure from convention. From the 1970s onwards, she developed a distinctive vocabulary using splash ink, layered piled ink, pointillist textures, and later, her signature one-stroke technique, through which gesture and energy became carriers of inner truth. Following personal loss in the late 1970s, her work evolved from somber tonalities into powerful, expansive abstractions marked by rhythmic vitality and luminous intensity.
Chou held numerous solo exhibitions internationally and was the subject of major retrospectives at institutions such as the University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Asia Society Hong Kong, and leading galleries in Hong Kong, Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Her works are housed in prestigious public collections including the British Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, M+ Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Queensland Art Gallery, and major institutional and private collections worldwide.
Recognised with multiple awards during her lifetime, Irene Chou’s legacy endures as a cornerstone of modern ink art. Her fearless experimentation and introspective vision secured her place as one of the most innovative and influential artists of her generation, redefining ink painting as a medium of boundless psychological and spiritual depth.
Education
1945 | BA in Economics at St. John’s University, Shanghai
Exhibitions
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
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
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
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