Institute of Philanthropy supports immersive digital exhibition from the Palace Museum exploring the rich heritage of Chinese design

Exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), jointly organised by the Palace Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum” opens tomorrow at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and runs until 13 October 2025. The thematic exhibition showcases traditional patterns from the Palace Museum through cutting-edge digital technology.

Guests tour the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”.

IoP was established as a “think-fund-do” tank for China and beyond through a strategic seed grant from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust. The exhibition is one of the events celebrating the Club’s 140th anniversary.

Guests tour the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”.

The exhibition’s opening ceremony was officiated today by Luo Xianliang, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum; Leo Kung, Chairman of the Board of the Hong Kong Palace Museum; Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; and Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

Luo Xianliang, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum (centre); Leo Kung, Chairman of the Board of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (2nd left); Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (2nd right); Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (1st left); and Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (1st right) officiate at the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum” opening ceremony.

Luo Xianliang, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, said, “‘The Ways in Patterns’ is the first digital exhibition collaboratively organised by the Palace Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. It is a testament to the commitment of both museums to promoting the outstanding traditional Chinese culture to world audience, and fostering mutual understanding and respect among different cultures. We look forward to the integration of digital technology advancing the appreciation and dissemination of traditional culture amid the tides of globalisation.”

Guests tour the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”.

Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said, “IoP is committed to promoting the exchange and advancement of philanthropic and charitable endeavours nationally and worldwide. This exhibition is part of a five-year collaboration with the Palace Museum, a project dedicated to showcasing exceptional traditional Chinese culture, nurturing arts tech talent, and supporting Hong Kong's development into a global centre for cultural and artistic exchange. The eventcarries even greater historical significance as it coincides with the Palace Museum's centennial and the 140th anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.”

Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust delivers a speech at the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum” opening ceremony.

“The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum” immerses visitors in the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture through the creative use of digital technology. Diverse patterns selected from the Palace Museum’s architecture, ceramics, and embroidered textiles are creatively reinterpreted into innovative displays of light and shadow, inspiring visitors to deepen their understanding of the rich origins of these intricate designs and to develop a greater appreciation for Chinese culture. The exhibition’s seven immersive spaces feature embroidery and brocade, an intricate caisson ceiling design, and dynamic floor patterns. Visitors can also create their own designs of animated fish and birds.

Selected exhibits at the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”.

This exhibition is a key initiative under the memorandum of co-operation titled “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong”. The Memorandum, signed between The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Palace Museum last May, aims at promoting Chinese culture and values in Hong Kong, the Mainland and globally. This includes supporting initiatives aimed at fostering cultural exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong and developing talent in the arts technology and cultural sectors.

Selected exhibits at the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”.

Selected exhibits at the “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”.

The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) is proud to serve as the exclusive sponsor of “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West”exhibition, which opened today at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The exhibition brings together 106 masterpieces and artefacts from The Palace Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palace of Versailles and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Previously staged at The Palace Museum in Beijing in 2025 under the title “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World”, also exclusively sponsored by IoP, the exhibition’s arrival in Hong Kong underscores IoP’s commitment to promoting Chinese culture and values and fostering international cultural exchange.

Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.

The exhibition celebrates the beauty and cultural significance of gardens across civilisations. From the grand gardens of Emperor Qianlong and King Louis XIV to the artistry of Claude Monet, Zhang Daqian and Wen Zhengming, visitors can discover how gardens have long been spaces of creativity and leisure.

Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Wang Yuegong, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum; Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Dr Wang Tao, Pritzker Chair of Arts of Asia, Executive Director of initiatives in Asia of Art Institute of Chicago; Professor Desmond Hui, Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee; Eve Tam, Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Dr Maria Mok, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Wang Yuegong, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum; Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Dr Wang Tao, Pritzker Chair of Arts of Asia, Executive Director of initiatives in Asia of Art Institute of Chicago; Professor Desmond Hui, Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee; Eve Tam, Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Dr Maria Mok, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government, said that this touring exhibition, which began at The Palace Museum in 2025 and arrived in Hong Kong today, connects regional culture of the East and West through historical gardens. The HKMoA, as the grand finale, will exclusively feature a selection of art treasures. The exhibition not only fully showcase the distinctive features of gardens from East and West and the rich cultural heritage from different regions, but also highlights Hong Kong’s vital role as a window for mutual exchange and learning between Chinese and Western civilisations. She added that the country advocates “shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism”. Culture and tourism have always been highly complemented with each other. With Labour Day Golden Week approaching, she believes the exhibition would attract local art lovers and tourists, as well as boost consumption in the surrounding area. She extended her appreciation to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its full support, and to the Institute of Philanthropy for its sponsorship, which together enabled the exwhibition to be successfully staged.

Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.

Wang Yuegong, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum, said that Chinese gardens evoke the grandeur of mountains, rivers, and the natural world, all within a small space and in pursuit of the ideal. Through this exhibition series, the Palace Museum hopes to foster open, cross‑disciplinary dialogue and collaboration, and to engage all sectors of society in exploring the question of ideal living.

Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said that the enduring legacy of Chinese garden art echoes the profound cultural heritage of The Palace Museum. Through this dialogue across time and cultures, she hoped more members of the public could experience the beauty of gardens from the East and West, deepen their understanding of the nation's history and culture, and carry forward Chinese cultural heritage, thereby enhancing cultural confidence and social cohesion.

Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.

“Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” is an important part of a five-year collaboration under a Memorandum of Co-operation entitled “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong” signed between The Palace Museum and IoP. It aims to foster cultural exchange between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong and to nurture aspiring arts tech talent. The exhibition will offer guided tours for schools, charitable organisations and non profit-making organisations.

Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.