M+ Showcases Zao Wou-Ki’s Printmaking Mastery in Asia’s First Major Retrospective
HONG KONG — In the heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District, M+ museum is presenting a landmark exhibition that illuminates a lesser-known dimension of one of the 20th century’s most celebrated abstract artists. Zao Wou-Ki: Master Printmaker, running through May 3, 2026, marks Asia’s first major retrospective dedicated to the Chinese-French painter’s graphic works.
Born in Beijing in 1920 and later based in Paris, Zao Wou-Ki (1920–2013) bridged Eastern and Western traditions through his lyrical abstraction. While renowned for his large-scale oil paintings, the artist maintained a lifelong engagement with printmaking—from etching and aquatint to vibrant lithography—using the medium to experiment with color layering, texture, and spatial depth.
The exhibition features nearly 180 works, primarily drawn from M+‘s collection following a significant donation by Françoise Marquet-Zao. It traces Zao’s print practice from 1949 to 2000, revealing how printmaking catalyzed his shift toward abstraction and served as a vital vehicle for circulating his ideas across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Rare books, works on paper, and archival materials provide fresh insight into his creative process.
Co-curated by Dr. Wu Mo, Sigg Curator at M+, and Yann Hendgen of the Zao Wou-Ki Foundation, the show highlights technical mastery, including complex multi-color overlays in pieces exceeding one meter in scale. Visitors encounter dynamic compositions where ink-like fluidity meets explosive color, evoking landscapes, elements, and primordial forces.
Zao Wou-Ki: Master Printmaker not only celebrates the artist’s cross-cultural legacy but also invites audiences to experience printmaking hands-on through upcoming workshops at the museum.
The exhibition is supported by lead sponsor BNP Paribas and major sponsors AIA Hong Kong and Cathay.
