Solo Exhibition of Calvin Poon Yuen Leung’s Lyric Manuscripts and Calligraphy
"Wanderer's Heart"

2025.03.08 - 2025.03.29

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​Curatorial Statement: Wanderer's Heart: Salvaging the Soul of an Era in the Sea of Lyrics

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Moonlight spills down, illuminating the figure of a wanderer drifting in the vast sea of lyrics.

Mr. Calvin Poon Yuen Leung, a lyricist who has traversed the music scene for more than four decades, has sketched out the most radiant galaxy of Hong Kong's pop music with his pen.

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From the complex emotions of "Love Trap"《愛情陷阱》to the agonising choices in "On the Edge of Love and Pain"《愛與痛的邊緣》 ; from the melancholy of "Love Has Gone"《情已逝》to the unspoken words in "Deep Words Left Unsaid"《情深說話未曾講》, every line of his lyrics is a beating heart, rising and falling with the tides of time.

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These manuscripts and calligraphy works are not only artistic gems but also witnesses to agolden era.

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When we gaze at the draft of "Nomad"《遊離份子》, it’s as if we see the youthful figure of Eason Chan wandering between the lines; when we study the handwriting of "Elegy of Love"《愛的輓歌》, Sammi Cheng’s heartfelt performance still echoes in our ears.

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Poon’s lyrics are like a mirror, reflecting the evolution of Hong Kong’s pop culture and capturing the pursuits and losses of every individual in love, dreams, and life.

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These precious manuscripts, long tucked away, are the most intimate dialogues between the lyricist, the singers, and the fans. They not only document his own creative journey but also carry the memories of countless people’s youth. In this exhibition, let us step into the lyrical world of Poon Yuen Leung, find our own resonance within the lines, and relive those heart-stirring moments amidst the melodies and the scent of ink.

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— Heiman Ng (Curator)

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Artist Statement: The Connection of Ink and Sound

Cantonese originates from ancient Chinese, with pronunciations and characters tracing back to the Tang and Song dynasties, even to the "Classic of Poetry (詩經)" and "Chu Ci (楚辭)". In Hong Kong, the continuation of these words into the singable and recitable form of Cantopop has created a cultural phenomenon of a generation. As a participant in this, I feel immensely honored.

What moves me most about the "Classic of Poetry (詩經)" and "Chu Ci (楚辭)"  is their ability to express profound emotions with the simplest of phrases, representing the pinnacle of "minimalist art." Their simplicity is so powerful that it has endured through the ages.

Coincidentally, another artistic medium is also minimalist yet exquisitely crafted: calligraphy. Each piece of paper and each stroke, infused with ink and accompanied by a seal, creates a unique composition that captivates the heart.

I have always pursued simplicity, striving to eliminate unnecessary words in my lyrics, and I appreciate calligraphy for its clarity, stark contrasts, and decisive strokes. However, since I began to integrate lyrics into characters, I discovered that this combination reveals even more intrigue within simplicity and feels grander in its interaction. From a one-dimensional idea, it unfolds into a two-dimensional form on paper, while simultaneously evoking the three or four dimensions of melodic thoughts and imagery. This extends and connects to the historical context of the "Classic of Poetry (詩經)" and "Chu Ci (楚辭)",  resembling a three-dimensional galaxy.

In contemplating the vastness of the universe, I hope that the ink and sound can record the footprints of human emotions...

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— Poon Yuen Leung