Chui Miu, the most senior ceramic painting master in Hong Kong, passed away on Feb. 15 at the age of 105.
Mr. Chui once served as the chief painter of the ceramic painting department at Tao Fung Shan Christian Centre under the tutelage of the renowned Hong Kong ceramic master Tse Chung-ng. He excelled in painting landscape ceramics and created numerous works for Tao Fung Shan, including a large circular mural at the Pilgrim’s Hall.
On Feb. 24, Yim Wai-Wai, the president of the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society, posted a eulogy titled “Remembering Mr. Chui Miu” on the society’s social media page, reflecting on Mr. Chui’s lifetime.
“Depicting the scenery of the years, a lifetime of in brush shower. Remembering the spring of ’88, countless fishes following falling flowers.” Hung on the wall of Mr. Chui’s home was a hand-painted ink painting with the Chinese poem, which he drew upon returning to his homeland after decades away from mainland China.
Reflecting on his career in ceramic painting, Mr. Chui summarized it in two sentences: “Alone for 40 years, leaving footprints in the world.”
Mr. Chui was born in Jiaoling County, Guangdong Province, and belonged to the Hakka ethnic group. He fled to Hong Kong from mainland China in 1949 and settled there. In the 1950s, he worked as a miner in Ma On Shan. Unfortunately, an industrial accident disabled his left hand, and he had to rely on one hand for his work thereafter.
During the 1950s and 1960s, he taught, studied at the Biblical Seminary, assisted in church activities, and made a living by selling paintings, leading a challenging and modest life. He enrolled in the Art Department of the World Lutheran Federation Social Service Center’s vocational training course, and was later hired as an assistant instructor in the art class.
In 1958, Mr. Tse, a veteran ceramic master from Shantou, came to Hong Kong and started a ceramic painting class at the Lutheran World Relief Association in Tsim Sha Tsui. Mr. Chui attended the class. When Mr. Tse fell ill once, he chose Mr. Chui to substitute for him for six months, which marked the beginning of the latter’s career opportunity.
Tao Fung Shan Christian Centre, founded by Norwegian missionary Karl Ludvig Reichelt (1877-1952) in 1930, established its ceramic painting department in 1947, with Mr. Tse being one of the pioneers. The Centre is characterized by its Chinese-style garden design combined with Christian cultural beliefs, conveying gospel stories through ceramic painting and Chinese-style artistic creations.
In 1966, Mr. Chui was appointed a painter in the ceramic painting department. He retired officially at 87, leaving many works specializing in landscape ceramic painting.
Mr. Chui’s “Lift My Eyes to the Hills” porcelain pieces depicted scenes of Tao Fung Shan, the hill named after the Christian Centre, and ancient figures using traditional Chinese painting techniques. Among them, the Chinese-style temple (a Grade II historic building) of the Christian Centre and the neighboring Lutheran Theological Seminary can be seen. Most of the orders for these products come from Western countries, with some local customers.
Ms. Yim believes that Mr. Chui’s works, representative long-lasting products of the institution, document the landscapes of Hong Kong. His landscapes are vast, painted with ease and grandeur. In addition to ceramic painting, ceramic production involves heavy work such as firing in kilns, all of which Mr. Chui accomplished single-handedly, demonstrating remarkable strength and skills.
In addition to painting cups, plates, bottles, and jars for sale, Mr. Chui also created large ceramic tile murals. Among five of his works, three are located in the conference hall, lotus pond, and dining hall of Tao Fung Shan Christian Centre; one is in the Lutheran Theological Seminary dining hall.
When Mr. Chui painted the large circular mural at the Pilgrim’s Hall in Tao Fung Shan, he was already in his 80s, Ms. Yim recalled. At that time, he fixed the brush handle on a long stick with a plastic sleeve, extending it two to three feet to paint while standing.
In 2017, at 98, Mr. Chui donated a batch of ceramic pieces and related artifacts to the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society, which are now housed in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, in support of ceramic research and conservation efforts.
Ms. Yim expressed her gratitude by saying she was fortunate to have visited Mr. Chui in 2016.
His booming and magnanimous laughter, along with the warm tones of his Hakka dialect, still echo in her memory, she said.
