Speakers: Kwok Kian Chow (Senior Director, Singapore Art Museum and Senior Advisor, National Gallery Singapore) and S. Alice Mong (President, Asia Society Hong Kong Center)

Art has the power to inspire and ignite, transcending boundaries to unite people. Beyond a communication tool, art is about building connections, fostering understanding and creating visions of our shared future. This fireside chat will explore the ways in which humanistic and artistic exchanges play a crucial role in promoting collaboration and cooperation between China and ASEAN, particularly through the medium of ink art. Contemporary ink works, from calligraphy and painting to photography and video, embody the vast history of Chinese culture and its continuation in meaningful expressions for society today. Advancements in thinking and technology have provided momentum for change in Chinese paintings, allowing artists to break through the limitations of forms and media, and opening up new versatility in art making. In an increasingly globalised world, this session will explore how ink art can serve as a cultural conduit between different Asian communities, and as an important intersection between culture, civilisation and shared experiences. Join us for an engaging talk between esteemed speakers who will offer unique insights into the enduring and vibrant legacies of ink art, witnessing how it has shaped cultural identities and fostered mutual understanding, in the past, present and future.