HONG KONG.- Tai Kwun announced the rejuvenation of Central Magistracy, two new permanent heritage exhibitions - Central Magistracy: Administering the Law and Central Magistracy: Jurisdiction and Punishments. Respectively held in the courtroom and its basement, these exhibitions examine the historical and heritage significance of the Magistracy.
Delve into Hong Kong’s Legal Past with Crime, Justice and Punishment in Colonial Hong Kong.
The exhibitions explore the pivotal role of Central Magistracy in Hong Kong's criminal justice system, from 1841 to 1979, when Central Magistracy was decommissioned. The Magistracy was the earliest court to be established in Hong Kong. Today it stands as one of the city’s few remaining neoclassical monuments.
From 1841 to 1979, this institution was Hong Kong’s busiest court of justice, the main point of contact between ordinary people and the law. More than three million men, women and children were tried there. Early magistrates dispensed harsh punishments under a system of unequal laws. Over the decades, a fairer system of justice emerged as social conditions improved. The law increasingly came to serve the whole of society, rather than just the interests of the elites.
The exhibition showcases the changes in the Magistracy’s architecture, and the evolution of the Magistracy’s role, and the development of Hong Kong’s judicial and social history. Focusing on the experiences of the people brought before the courts, the exhibition highlights the struggles and inequalities of everyday life in a city divided by class, ethnicity, and language. Although separated from us by time and circumstances, their stories resonate across the years. They help us connect with the past through our shared humanity.
“This exhibition combines in-depth historical research with artistic interpretation to provide glimpses of historic court cases heard by the Magistracy. Through true stories of people, the presentation informs a deeper understanding of the judicial and social history of Hong Kong. We are delighted to have Dr Christopher Munn, a distinguished historian, to be our guest curator. The artistic interpretations by two young talents, Kate Chung and Eric Fok, have brought history to life,” said Dr Anita Chung, Head of Heritage at Tai Kwun.
“Central Magistracy was the busiest court for much of Hong Kong’s history. Magistrates tried most criminal cases and also decided whether or not persons accused of more serious crimes should be committed for trial by jury in the Supreme Court. The cases tried here offer excellent opportunities to explore the experiences of people of many different backgrounds,” said Dr Christopher Munn, Guest Curator.
“Here at Tai Kwun, we are committed to presenting historical narratives that unveil new perspectives about our site to stimulate a more complete understanding and encourage cultural discourse. The Central Magistracy exhibitions are a continuation of that mission, connecting our present to the past in ways that inspire reflection and conversation,” said Ms Chin Chin Teoh, Director of Tai Kwun.
The journey through the Magistracy, at a glance
The exhibition Central Magistracy: Administering the Law welcomes visitors into one of the courtrooms, where the past is brought to life by photographs and exhibits showing the crimes tried by magistrates and the punishments they imposed. In the basement below the courtroom, a further exhibition Central Magistracy: Jurisdiction and Punishments, focuses on the powers of magistrates and the punishments they enforced.
At the entrance to the courtroom a large streetscape by the artist Eric Fok, entitled Regulated Chaos, invites visitors to reimagine the relationships between people, institutions, and the city as one era flows into another. Graphic narratives created by Kate Chung, bring to life a selection of real historical cases. Another highlight is the specially commissioned model of Central Magistracy, by the Australian studio, Make Models.
There will be ongoing refurbishment of other heritage interpretation spaces to offer new permanent exhibitions across the site. Tai Kwun is committed to offering high-quality and in-depth heritage programmes for promoting and enhancing the heritage value of our site.
Artdaily participates in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn commissions by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help us continue curating and sharing the art world’s latest news, stories, and resources with our readers.
