Exhibition: Ink & Stillness — A Trio Contemporary Journey

Co-organized by the Jao Tsung-I Academy and Nanjing Bingxi Culture, this joint exhibition featured the works of three emerging scholar-painters: Lu Xiaohong, Han Fei, and Wang Jun. My challenge was to design a visual identity that unified three distinct artistic voices—ranging from abstract Western-influenced ink to meticulous feminine portraiture—under the dual themes of "Ink" (the medium) and "Rest" (the experience).

I translated the poetic essence of contemporary Chinese ink art into a cohesive suite of exhibition graphics, ensuring the "restful" and "imaginative" atmosphere was felt by the Hong Kong public from the moment they saw the first poster.

ENVIRONMENTAL
VISUAL IDENTITY
PRINT DESIGN
My Role
Graphic Designer (Visual Identity & Environmental Graphics)
Timeline
July 2016 – August 2016
Client
Jao Tsung-I Academy (Hong Kong)
Deliverables
Event Branding, Large-format Backdrop, Banners, Promotional Posters, Bilingual Gallery Captions, and Marketing Collateral.

The Challenge

Ink painting exhibitions often feel old-fashioned and "stiff." For this project, I had to solve three main problems:

Making it Fresh
These three artists (Lu Xiaohong, Han Fei, and Wang Jun) are young and modern. I didn't want the gallery to look "old school" or boring.

Showing their Friendship
The artists are very close friends. The design needed to show they were connected, rather than three separate people working alone.

Mixing Different Styles
Each artist has a different drawing style. I needed to find a way to make the whole show look like it belonged together.

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The Creative Solution

I created a modern visual system to connect these young artists with their audience. This design focused on three key areas:

Vibrant Branding
I used a mix of vivid pink and light blue watercolor textures for the background. This replaced standard white walls to make the gallery feel both "restful" and lively.

Immersive Layouts
I extracted specific motifs, like birds and butterflies, directly from the paintings. Placing these on walls and banners made the art feel like it was "stepping out" into the room.

Social Media Metaphor
I used familiar WeChat and Facebook UI for the artist intros and artwork captions. This turned technical data into a modern, friendly conversation that reflected the artists' youth and friendship.

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Project highlights and key outcomes

Creating an Atmospheric 'Photo-Op'

Designed an immersive social touchpoint for the 'Ink and Rest' (墨憩) exhibition. I integrated signature motifs from artists Lu Xiaohong, Han Fei, and Wang Jun into a watercolor landscape optimized for guest photography to bridge traditional ink art with a modern and shareable gallery experience.

Digital Metaphor Gallery Captions

I reimagined gallery labels as a WeChat chat interface to honor the artists' heritage. This digital metaphor made technical details more engaging and relatable for visitors. It bridged the gap between traditional art and modern digital culture.

Youthful & Synergetic Exhibition Poster

This promotional poster integrates artistic elements from three featured scholar painters to capture their creative synergy and close friendship. The custom watercolor background highlights a youthful perspective on contemporary ink art for gallery visitors.

High Visibility Outdoor Banner

Designed for the Jao Tsung I Academy entrance, this large scale banner captures the attention of drivers and pedestrians along Castle Peak Road. The composition prioritizes legibility and bold branding to serve as a primary visual touchpoint for the community.