A new exhibition "Everyday Elegance: Daily Lives of Women in Late Qing China清閨澤華--黃金澤宜珍藏特展" has opened in the Oriental Museum. The exhibition is the public debut of the Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection (黃金澤宜珍藏), a recent donation to the Oriental Museum. It showcases 80 objects from the Collection, with additional objects drawn from the Museum's existing Chinese collections.
Spotlight on Women in China
This exhibition explores the daily lives of women in Late Qing China (c.1800-1912 CE) through the colloquial 'necessities of life': dress, food, home, and movement.
It also showcases Mrs Huang Kam Chak Yee's personal possessions which were donated to the Oriental Museum, including a qipao (or cheongsam) she designed in collaboration with tailors in Hong Kong.
Over a period of 40 years, Mrs Huang Kam Chak Yee (黃金澤宜夫人,1943-2021) brought together a collection which comprises over 300 objects, many likely made or used by women in urban communities in Late Qing China.
It is a valuable record of these women's daily lives, which are seldom represented in museum collections and displays.
A collector, researcher, recipe developer, author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, social activist, and traveller, Mrs Huang leaves a multi-faceted legacy, including the collection which forms the core of this exhibition.
A Transformative Gift
In October 2024, Mrs Huang's husband, Dr Chenya Huang (黃震遐醫生), kindly agreed to gift Mrs Huang's collection to the University.
Dr Huang also provided generous financial support to the Oriental Museum which has been used to completely refurbish several of the museum's galleries, between late 2025 and early 2026.
This generous funding will support the appointment of an assistant curator for two years and a photographer for one year, both focused on opening up Mrs Huang's collection to students, researchers and the public.
Huang Kam Chak Yee Gallery
The special exhibition gallery has been named the Huang Kam Chak Yee Gallery (黃金澤宜特展廳) in Mrs Huang's honour. It is the first gallery in the Oriental Museum to be named after a woman. Dr Huang attended the gallery dedication ceremony and exhibition preview event on 15 May, along with specially invited guests, including members of his and Mrs Huang's family.
A unique collection
Dr Chenya Huang said: "We hope that, through this exhibition, people will be able to see the individuality, aesthetics, and sensibilities of women in the Qing period as expressed through their dresses, jewellery, and utensils, and be enticed to know more about their hidden aspirations and unsung achievements."
Professor Claire O'Malley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global), who hosted the gallery dedication ceremony and exhibition preview event, said: "Everyday Elegance brings to the fore the everyday lives of women in China during the Late Qing period in a way that is personal and relatable. We are grateful to Dr Huang for entrusting the care of this collection to us."
The exhibition runs at the Oriental Museum until 20 September 2026.
