On 30 November, Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI) led eight HSBC Scholars on the “Guo Pei: Fashioning Imagination” Exhibition Special Tour at M+. Before the tour commenced, the M+ educator, Liz Yeung, gave a brief introduction about the background of M+ and some tips on appreciating China’s leading couture artist’s masterpieces.
During the tour of the Guo Pei exhibition, Liz encouraged the HSBC Scholars to express their feelings and explore the stories behind the artworks through three lenses: clothing texture, use of materials, and the use of colors and elements. With the suggestion from the educators, the HSBC Scholars found their own ways to enjoy the beauty of each of Guo Pei’s artworks and shared their interpretations with the group.
After the tour, HSBC Scholars were given a chance to create their own fashion masterpieces in a workshop. Three cards with different themes and fashion magazines were distributed. HSBC Scholars were tasked with making use of elements from the magazines that suited the themes of their masterpieces and creating clip art on their own canvas. As the HSBC Scholars showcased their creativity in producing their unique masterpieces, they also enjoyed sharing their inspiration and the story behind their artworks.
“My biggest takeaway from this exhibition is learning that Guo Pei’s designs often convey powerful narratives that reflect personal experiences, societal issues, or cultural stories,” said Chan Hoi Yan. “The thematic sections of the exhibition guide visitors through these narratives, revealing how clothing can express identity, emotion, and contemporary life. I have also learnt the way to do storytelling through fashion. This aspect prompts visitors to consider their own relationship with clothing and how it can serve as a medium for personal expression or social commentary.
“I have learnt how to appreciate the designs and find some inspiration,” said Ching Yi Yeung.
As FSI’s Program Officer for the HSBC Scholarship Partnership Programme, Mandy Yeung, who helped coordinate the tour of the HSBC-sponsored exhibition also found the experience fruitful: “The tour was well-organised. The educator did an excellent job of encouraging our HSBC scholars to imagine the stories behind each of Guo Pei’s artworks and express their thoughts. Our participants enjoyed the event so much! During this tour, I learnt the techniques for interpreting art through simple observations of clothing textures, materials, colours, and design elements too.”
