'M+ Artwork Will Reflect Society's Development'

The head of the West Kowloon Cultural District, Henry Tang, on Thursday appealed to the public to be open and inclusive when they view art at the M+ Museum, saying the works on display are a reflection of society's development.

Speaking at a media preview a day before the museum's opening, Tang, who chairs the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, reiterated that the pieces on display must comply with Hong Kong laws.

He said it is the responsibility of a public museum to ensure its exhibitions are legal.

"We will uphold and encourage freedom of artistic expression and creativity. On the other hand, our dedicated curatorial team will ensure that all the exhibitions will comply with the laws, including the Basic Law, the national security law and all the other laws in Hong Kong," Tang said.

"In the past there was some controversy regarding whether some exhibits might be in violation of the law. The opening of M+ does not mean artistic expression is above the law. It is not," he said.

The opening exhibitions, which cover themes like Hong Kong's visual culture since the 60s and contemporary Chinese art, contain works with political undertones, such as a suit with faces of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong printed on it.

An artwork called "Study in Perspective: Tian'anmen" by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei, which had been singled out by lawmakers when they questioned if museum exhibitions could violate the national security law, is absent.

Asked if the work, which shows the artist flipping a middle finger in Tiananmen Square, would be displayed in future, Tang said the museum is still reviewing some artwork that has been donated.

He stressed that just because a piece has yet to be displayed, it does not mean it won't be shown in future or that it is illegal.

Tang added that the "Study in Perspective" series contains over 20 photos, and it would be best for the collection to be displayed in its entirety, in order for people to know the mindset of the artist at the time.

Other works by Ai, named "Whitewash" and "Chang'an Boulevard", are part of the opening exhibition.

Hong Kong residents can visit the museum at no cost during its first year of operation. Tang said he expects one million visitors in the inaugural year.