To introduce a whole new concept and lifestyle to Hong Kong, New World Development Company Limited proudly presents the exhibition - “Serenity Above” to the public. This exhibition features two internationally-renowned artists, Shunmyo Masuno and Zheng Chongbin, to explore the art of serenity through this altruistic public display of innovative artwork. With the pursuit of enhancing the appreciation of tranquil life within the metropolis, this exhibition takes the public on a journey to discover the essence of calmness through different art mediums, with the backdrop of elevating public’s mind to a metaphysical space. The juxtaposition of Masuno’s stone arrangement set against Zheng’s ink paintings creates an oasis of peacefulness that revitalizes the narratives of transcendence and enlightenment. The well-thought-out stone arrangement implicitly sublimates the audience’s emotion to a more peaceful state. Masuno utilized “Aji-ishi”, a type of stone located at the base of Mt. Gokenzan, to represent the five elements of nature: San (Mountain), Sui (Water), Ari (Existence), Sei (Purity) and On (Sound). Each stone has its unique shape that echoes with human individuality. Whereas, the ink medium that Zheng utilized embodies a concept of creating metaphysical resonance beyond its physical form. The mere use of black and white further allows audience to free their mind from the hustle and bustle, so as to experience a regenerated pause from the pressure of everyday life. It is hoped that the visitors can take away an experience through a purifying journey of mental and emotional state. Shunmyo Masuno Shunmyo Masuno is a leading landscape architect, the Head Priest of Kenkohji Temple and Professor of Tama Art University. He refers gardening as his spiritual training ground in achieving a deeper understanding of himself. His inner feelings and deep emotions are always expressed in his work. Zen ascetic practice believes that the underlying emotion of one’s mind can neither be directly exposed nor understood. People must therefore discover ways to communicate their hidden emotion to others, i.e. "the expression of oneself." In light of such, Masuno has been dedicated to transform the inner sentiment into spiritual arts including calligraphy, Ikebana, and rock placement. Zheng Chongbin Zheng Chongbin is a Shanghai-born artist who now resides in Northern California. With ink being his main medium, his practice encompasses biomorphic ink painting, abstract painting using traditional ink and acrylic on paper, large-scale ink installations, video installation art as well as installation, porcelain and video. Throughout Zheng’s art career, he has reinterpreted traditional Chinese art and fused it with contemporary Western abstract art. Zheng never abandons the striking touch of rigorous ink brush training received in the 80s; meanwhile he absorbs the American Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism to combine them into his own art. By blending Western and Eastern art traditions, Zheng’s works resonate harmoniously with each other. In 1984, Zheng Chongbin graduated from the Department of Chinese Painting at the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in the lake city of Hangzhou (now the China Academy of Fine Arts). He first showed his work at the National Art Museum of China, Beijing (1985), and three years later in a solo exhibition at the Shanghai Art Museum (1988). In 1992, Zheng was included in shows at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg, Germany, and at the San José Institute of Contemporary Art in San Jose, USA (1993) and at Limn Gallery in San Francisco (1997). Having permanently settled in Northern California, Zheng spent the next ten years sequestered in his studio working on a new phenomenological and materialistic approach to ink painting.