The Academy of Visual Arts (AVA) under the School of Creative Arts (SCA) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will present its Master of Arts in Visual Arts Graduation Show 2025 (MA Grad Show 2025) from 11 to 27 July at the University’s Kai Tak Campus. The exhibition, themed Symbiosis, will present works by 23 AVA graduating students, showcasing their creativity and endeavours.

The Academy of Visual Arts (AVA) under the School of Creative Arts (SCA) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will present its Master of Arts in Visual Arts Graduation Show 2025 (MA Grad Show 2025) from 11 to 27 July at the University’s Kai Tak Campus. The exhibition, themed Symbiosis, will present works by 23 AVA graduating students, showcasing their creativity and endeavours.

The 2025 Master of Visual Arts Graduation Exhibition, hosted by AVA at Hong Kong Baptist University, adopts the theme Symbiosis. This concept originates from the Greek word symbíōsis, signifying various forms of companionship and coexistence. It draws inspiration from the cultural metaphor of “learning from the same master but started one's school” in Ruzhen Li’s Qing Dynasty novel Flowers in the Mirror. The theme explores how artists grow in diverse directions while rooted in a shared academic foundation: each artist builds on predecessors’ wisdom, integrating personal innovation to form a unique perspective. It examines the symbiotic relationship between artistic practices—interconnected yet independent—unveiling the interweaving and renewal of knowledge, style, creativity, and experience.

As stated in Flowers in the Mirror: “...there’s a date tree with huge dates,’ said Lin…But When they approached it, they saw that it was not a date tree at all. ‘This is a magic tree which bears a kernel of no definite taste,’ explained Old Tuo. ‘People who eat the kernel will enjoy a very long life, if not become immortal.” (Li 1965, p.49). Ruzhen Li reminds us that marvels often lie hidden in the mundane. In our artistic exploration, we too uncover the eternal charm of the ordinary through diverse media and styles. We sincerely invite you to embark on this surprise-filled artistic journey, where art becomes a lively celebration of interaction—guiding us beyond the everyday into a world of visionary dreams.