HONG KONG.- Tai Kwun is presenting Book of Changes: The Art of Basil Pao, a heritage thematic exhibition, on view from 28 Nov 2025 to 20 Feb 2026 at the Duplex Studio inside the Police Headquarters Block.

This heritage exhibition delves into the Yijing, or Book of Changes, and explores its timeless legacy in the contemporary world. As an ancient divination text and philosophy classic, the Book of Changes has an enduring imprint on many aspects of Chinese life. The exhibition explores how cultural heritage plays a significant role in shaping artistic creativity and how the Book of Changes provides a source of inspiration for Hong Kong photo artist Basil Pao.

The exhibition and the accompanying public programmes stand as a testament to Tai Kwun’s ongoing commitment to promoting cultural heritage, broadening access to the arts, and celebrating cultural traditions on a site that is itself a vital part of Hong Kong’s heritage.

The Book of Changes

Nature’s rhythm of change and humanity’s creative transformation manifest as a constant flux of being and becoming. This profound insight from the Book of Changes inspires the current exhibition which reveals how heritage continues to ignite creative imagination for making meaning.

The exhibition introduces the fundamental concepts of the Book of Changes, the symbolic system of the Chinese hexagrams, as well as the book’s philosophical implications and living legacy. Highlighting the ancient Chinese philosophy of change and the idea of unity of Heaven, Earth and Humanity, the interpretation inspires critical inquiries of our place in the world. It casts light on what the Book of Changes has underlined the vital role of human agency in mastering the future.

Basil Pao’s Contemporary Photographic Vision of a Chinese Classic

Renowned photo artist Basil Pao embarks on a distinctive visual dialogue with the Book of Changes. Forging a connection with the classic throughout his life, Pao often turns to its guidance. He even credits it with inspiring his decision to leave a corporate career in Hollywood, returning to Hong Kong and ultimately becoming a travel photographer.

In this exhibition, Pao channels the visual memories of his global journey — including his works for BBC’s Michael Palin travel series — back into the ancient wisdom of the Book of Changes. Through a unique photographic lens and photomontage, Pao’s offers a visual interpretation of the classic and its time-honoured concepts, approaching cultural heritage with a contemporary vision.

The exhibition features two striking photo series: i) The Great Walls of China, where timeworn walls become metaphors of change and are integrated with the 64 hexagrams, serving as the artist’s connection to the Book of Changes and his tribute to Abstract Expressionists’ paintings ii) Glimpses of Silence, with boundless landscapes evoking thoughts on humanity’s place within the natural world and in the grand scheme of the universe. Together, they illuminate a fundamental concept as revealed in the classic — the dynamic interaction and unity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.

Prompting audiences to reflect on how ancient wisdom inspires modern living, the exhibition maps the nexus of cultural heritage and sustainable living in a profound and thought-provoking manner.

Dr Anita Chung, Head of Heritage at Tai Kwun, says: “This exhibition is part of Tai Kwun’s ongoing mission to champion Chinese cultural heritage. We hope the show’s captivating experience will bring abstract ideas to life and inspire reflection on the enduring relevance of ancient wisdom, especially as we navigate a warming planet and AI technologies that are reshaping the human experience.”

Exhibition Highlights

Discover Basil Pao’s contemplative photographic series, presented in immersive formats that make for a conceptually and visually rich experience. Expansive landscapes from Glimpses of Silence unfold on a large screen occupying an entire room, holding viewers in nature’s embrace. The Great Walls of China presents images of timeworn walls superimposed with the Chinese hexagrams, which are illuminated from a series of 64 pillars that form a platform for quiet reflection. Viewed together from above, these pillars of hexagrams present a striking overview of the symbolic system of the Book of Changes, all within an engrossing exhibition space designed by the renowned architect Nuno Da Silva Tang, founder of Atelier Nuno. Adopting an architectural language that echoes the built heritage of Tai Kwun, the exhibition design creates an interplay of column, material, symmetry, and order. The design further affirms the role of cultural heritage in inspiring creativity.

To deepen engagement with the classic, visitors are invited to join the interactive activity “Consulting the Book of Changes”, where they can explore divination for themselves and seek an understanding of the future. They are also encouraged to write down their thoughts and reflections, on an exclusive keepsake – a limited-edition postcard featuring Basil Pao’s stunning photography from The Great Walls of China series. This unique giveaway, available on a first-come, first-served basis, offers a piece of the exhibition to take home and inspires visitors to continue their journey of discovery.