Prince Kung's Palace Museum has unveiled the Objects as Vessels of Wisdom exhibition at its Jiale Hall, featuring 29 pieces of furniture dating to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) from the museum's collection alongside 28 ceramic artworks by 18 contemporary artists.
Co-curated by Bai Ming, professor with the Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University and director of the Ceramic Art Committee of the China Artists Association, the exhibition is designed to evoke spatial elements of the past and traditional wisdom. The historic architecture, ancient furniture and modern ceramic art are connected with theatrical displays and lighting.
The exhibition is organized into three thematic sections. The main hall pairs refined Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) furniture pieces – such as Chinese rosewood chairs, tables and cabinets – with diverse-styled contemporary ceramic works. The west wing contrasts the ornate Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) furniture with delicate tea wares, including the blue-and-white, underglaze red, Dehua white-glazed, rustic pottery, etc. The east wing manifests the garden life, where chairs and tables harmonize with ceramic panel paintings and other artworks, reminiscent of the rockeries and lake of the palace's Cuijin Garden.
By bringing historic furniture out of the depot and placing contemporary ceramics in this centuries-old space, the exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the practical and aesthetic essence of the two kinds of everyday objects. It is a fresh interpretation of the Chinese philosophy – "Objects as Vessels of Wisdom", revealing beauty in daily life.
The exhibition runs through July 6 (closed Mondays).
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