M+ exhibition highlights Zao Wou-Ki's printmaking as key to his abstract art

M+ will open "Zao Wou-Ki: Master Printmaker," Asia's first major retrospective of the celebrated Chinese French artist's graphic works, on Saturday.

The exhibition traces Zao's printmaking practice from 1949 to 2000, presenting nearly 180 works including prints, illustrated books, works on paper and archival materials. Highlights include seminal pieces such as *Lecture par Henri Michaux de huit lithographies de Zao Wou-Ki* (1950) and *À la gloire de l’image et art poétique* (1977).

The show, co-curated by M+ and the Zao Wou-Ki Foundation, is drawn largely from a major donation to the museum by the artist's widow, Françoise Marquet-Zao. It positions printmaking as a crucial dimension of Zao's art, showcasing how his experiments in the medium informed his abstract painting.

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Organised into three main sections—"Encountering Printmaking," "Towards Abstraction," and "No Boundaries"—the exhibition reveals Zao's technical evolution and his synthesis of Eastern and Western traditions. Side stories offer insight into his artistic process, collaborative network and the relationship between poetry and prints.

Museum director Suhanya Raffel said the exhibition affirms M+'s commitment to cross-cultural dialogues shaping contemporary visual expression. Françoise Marquet-Zao stated it was meaningful to see her husband's graphic oeuvre presented with depth at a global museum.

The exhibition is supported by lead sponsor BNP Paribas and major sponsors AIA Hong Kong and Cathay. It will run in the Main Hall Gallery from December 13, 2025 to May 3, 2026. Public programmes include talks, an open print studio, workshops and guided tours.