Born in Guangzhou and raised in Hong Kong, Koo Mei (b. 1929) studied under several leading 20th-century ink masters, including Chao Shao-an, Hu Nien-Tsu, Au Ho-Nien, and later Lui Shou-Kwan, a pioneer of the Hong Kong New Ink Movement. Koo developed a distinctive visual language that moves beyond direct representation toward atmospheric and emotionally resonant landscapes. Her paintings are characterized by expansive mountains, drifting clouds, and enveloping mists rendered through layered ink washes, fluid brushwork, and subtle gradations of colour. Rather than depicting specific locations, her landscapes emerge from recollections and dreams, creating poetic environments that evoke solitude, contemplation, and transcendence. Drawing upon both classical shanshui traditions and the experimental ethos of the Hong Kong New Ink Movement, Koo transforms the natural world into a space where memory and imagination converge.
Cloudy Melody 深谷雲影,1994,38x47cm,73x87cm (Framed),Ink and Colour on Paper *Price: $15,000.00Morning Memories 春之歌,1994,38x47cm,73x87cm (Framed),Ink and Colour on Paper *Price: $15,000.00
*Price is subjected to change without further notice.
Biography
Born in Guangzhou in 1929 and grown up in Hong Kong, Koo Mei was under the tutelage of several renowned 20th-century ink masters: First, Chao Shao-an in 1963 in Hong Kong; Hu Nien-Tsu and Au Ho-Nien when she was residing in Taiwan in 1969; and later Hong Kong New Ink Movement pioneer Lui Shou-Kwan in 1974.Since the 1970s, Koo’s works hail from the abstract, dynamic and fluid nature of clouds and mists, images she yearned for and frequently dreamt about. Determine not to be bounded by the rigid structures dominating Hong Kong’s landscape; she turned for the picturesque villages, panoramic imageries of mountains, valleys, streams and vast open spaces. Hence, many of her paintings stemmed from her fond childhood memories and playful imaginations of a quaint, mystic realm.
In 1977, Koo Mei won the prestigious Hong Kong Urban Council Fine Arts Award, and the winning painting was subsequently collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Her early works received high praises from Asia’s most respected 20th-century masters, Chang Dai-Chien and Zao Wou Ki. 1984 marked a new beginning of her artistic journey when she moved from Hong Kong to Canada, where she resides today. The changes of four seasons and majestic natural wonders in Canada became a major catalyst towards her expansive, ethereal landscapes and misty clouds. Today, at the age of 92, she remains one of the very few female ink landscape painters of our times. Koo Mei’s works are powerfully evocative, imbued with a sense of tranquillity and wisdom that age over the passage of time.
Koo Mei’s works have been collected by many important private collectors and organizations such as the State University of Utah, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Stadium, the Canadian Consulate General, Bank of America, Citibank, Bank of Australia, Hutchison Global Crossing Limited and Shaw Brothers (Hong Kong) Limited in Hong Kong respectively.
2017 | Pacific Crossings: Hong Kong Artists in Vancouver, Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
2016 | Being and Inking: Documenting Contemporary Ink Art 2001-2016, Alisan Fine Arts, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, Aberdeen
2015 | A Legacy of Ink: Lui Shou-Kwan 40 Years On, Alisan Fine Arts, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, Aberdeen
2015 | Lui Shou-Kwan: A Legacy of Ink, Alisan Fine Arts, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, Aberdeen
2010 | Scenic Sensibilities, Asian Fine Arts, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
2009 | Art Show 09, CCM Center, Vancouver
2008 | Art Show 08, CCM Center, Vancouver
2007 | Art Show 07, CCM Centre, Vancouver
2007 | The New Face of Ink Paintings, Sino Group, Hong Kong
2006 | Art Show 06, CCM Centre Vancouver
2006 | Love is a Many Splendoured Thing – Koos’ Family Painting Exhibition, Hong Kong
2006 | Published memoir From Dawn to Dusk, Joint Publishing (Hong Kong) Company Limited
2005 | Art Show 05, CCM Centre (Chinese Christian Mission of Canada), Vancouver
2003 | Ink Paintings & Calligraphy, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei
2000 | Modern Classical, Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1997 | Reunion and Vision, Contemporary Hong Kong art 1997, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
1997 | Masterpieces of 20th Century Chinese Painting, The Canadian Foundation for the Preservation of Chinese Cultural and Historical Treasures, Canada
1992 | Contemporary Art of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
1992 | Where the Stream Becomes a River, Vancouver Art Gallery, Canada
1990 | University of British Columbia Asian Art Exhibition, Asian Art Auditorium, Vancouver
1990 | Metamorphosis-Contemporary Chinese Paintings, Luen Chai, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1989 | Beyond the Magic Mountains; Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy by Artists in North America, Hanart Gallery, Hong Kong
1988 | One Season of Promise, The Touchstone Gallery, Hong Kong
1987 | Reality and Infinity, Alisan Fine Arts Ltd., Hong Kong
1986 | Contemporary Chinese Painting, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1985 | Shui Muo Exhibition, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1983 | One Art Group Exhibition, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1982 | Exhibition of International Ink Painters Association, National Museum of History, Taipei
1981 | Benson & Hedges Selection of Hong Kong Art, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1980 | One Art Group Joint Exhibition, National Museum of History, Taipei Traveling exhibition, Taiwan
1979 | One Art Group Joint Exhibition, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore
1978 | Urban Council Fine Art Award Winners, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
1977 | Contemporary Chinese Artists from Hong Kong, Rockford College, Illinois
1976 | Hong Kong Art Now, Quorum Galleries, Hong Kong
1971 | Female Painters of China, Memorial Painting Exhibition of Yu Ya-yun, Taipei
Awards
1977 | Urban Council Artist Award, Hong Kong
Permanent Collections
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
Canadian Consulate General, Hong Kong
Bank of Australia, Hong Kong
Bank of America, Hong Kong
Citibank, Hong Kong
Hutchison Global, Hong Kong
Shaw Brothers Ltd, Hong Kong
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
University of Utah, United States
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