Central JPS Gallery | Guan Yu Vs. Wilson Shieh

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HONG KONG'S MOST ELECTRIFYING ART SHOWDOWN: GUAN YU VS. WILSON SHIEH

Prepare to be swept away into an extraordinary world where timeless legend collides with trailblazing contemporary art! JPS Gallery Hong Kong is thrilled to unveil “Guan Yu vs. Wilson Shieh”, an exhilarating solo exhibition by Hong Kong’s visionary artist Wilson Shieh. At its heart beats the fierce spirit of Guan Yu (160-220 AD), the iconic warrior deity from the Three Kingdoms era, reimagined through Shieh’s innovative lens.

Here, Shieh’s signature architectural figures, cloaked in the silhouette of Hong Kong’s landmark buildings, roar to life as mighty warriors wielding traditional Chinese weapons. This mesmerising experience extends beyond traditional gallery viewing—featuring a meticulously recreated vintage cinema environment and groundbreaking AI-generated film that brings these painted warriors into stunning animated battle.

STEP INTO THE CINEMA: AI IGNITES AN EPIC BATTLE

Traverse a corridor where nostalgia dances with innovation — walls lined with Shieh’s vivid, original paintings capture the spirit of Hong Kong’s cinematic heyday from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. These masterful works replace classic film posters, setting the stage for a one-of-a-kind cinematic spectacle.

Beyond lies the fully equipped movie theatre, home to a pioneering AI-generated short that breathes movement and drama into the fierce confrontation between Guan Yu and Shieh’s architectural heroines. Witness history and mythology collide with the imagination of a fearless contemporary artist — all amplified by the power of next-gen technology.

THE ARTISTIC EVOLUTION: FROM URBAN ELEGANCE TO WARRIOR MAJESTY

Shieh takes a fearless leap into new artistic territory. His once serene figures, symbolic of Hong Kong’s refined urban essence, now surge forward as armed warriors brandishing ancient weapons with commanding presence. Through exquisite brushstrokes and vivid hues, Shieh reinvigorates his celebrated fine brush painting technique, forging a stunning bridge between tradition and modernity.

“After decades of studying Chinese fine-brush paintings and practising gongbi, I realised I hadn’t truly explored Guan Yu’s imagery,” Shieh reveals. This awakening propelled him into a profound journey through the legendary general’s saga—whose story of bravery and loyalty has echoed for nearly two millennia. Shieh captures this epic transformation, reinterpreting an age-old hero for the modern age with a narrative rich in courage, power, and pathos.

INSPIRED BY A CULT CLASSIC, REBORN FOR TODAY

Adding a playful twist, the exhibition channels the offbeat energy of the 1976 Taiwanese cult film “War of God,” famously known as “Guan Yu vs. Aliens.” This wonderfully wild story, featuring the deity battling extraterrestrials in Hong Kong’s bustling Central district, charmed pop culture fans with its audacious imagination. Today, Shieh takes this spirit further, placing Guan Yu in an electric face-off against his own architectural creations — turning the entire exhibition into a bold cultural critique and a triumph of innovative artistry.

BRIDGING TRADITION AND TECHNOLOGY: A NEW ERA OF STORYTELLING

From a disciplined Chinese fine-brush painting student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong to one of the city’s most groundbreaking contemporary artists, Shieh’s personal evolution mirrors Hong Kong’s own dynamic cultural journey. His architectural series now stands as a symbol of the city’s unique fusion of East and West — elegance meets innovation, history meets the future.

This is more than an exhibition; it’s an electrifying convergence where myth clashes head-on with technology, ancient heroism ignites fresh creativity, and art transcends its boundaries like never before. “Guan Yu vs. Wilson Shieh” promises a spellbinding cultural adventure — one that will redefine your experience of art forever.