Henry Steiner, deemed the father of graphic design in Hong Kong, is celebrating his vast achievement and 90th birthday with a solo exhibition at M+.
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Known for his innovative approach to graphic communication that skillfully blends diverse cultural influences with visual acumen, Steiner is considered a trailblazer in Hong Kong's graphic design industry. His designs captivate viewers with playful and surprising elements, and his work can be seen throughout the city, from banknotes to buildings. Among them, his timeless rebranding of HSBC.
Mentored by Paul Rand, Steiner developed works that demonstrate a distinct intelligence, clarity, use of unexpected elements and visual storytelling.
The M+ exhibition is the latest in the museum's Pao-Watari series which focuses on historically important figures and moments. It features over 200 objects from the museum and Steiner's personal collection, showcasing the designer's most significant projects from the 1960s to the present.
"It gives me immense pleasure to witness my personal creative journey and my work at M+," Steiner said.
"Hong Kong is the city I call home and has been a constant source of inspiration for my projects over the years."
The exhibition highlights Henry Steiner's influential graphic design legacy, exemplified by a selection of his most iconic projects, which have played a historic role Hong Kong's evolution over the past sixty years.
Divided into two sections, the exhibition delves into Steiner's formative years, his journey to Hong Kong, and the establishment of Graphic Communication Ltd - now Steiner and Co - in 1964. The exhibition will last until November 10.
A selection of personal photos serve as an introduction. Steiner, born in Austria in 1934, was forced to flee the country with his family following annexation by Germany. Educated in New York, he later attended Yale School of Art. Steiner was drawn to the concepts of surrealism and Dadaism, which can be glimpsed in a few of his earliest art-related designs.
He established a practice in Hong Kong in 1961 and helped open the Hong Kong office of Asia Magazine. Steiner was one of the first to incorporate traditional Chinese elements in an English medium periodical - his unique and innovative approach, which fuses Western and Eastern design aesthetics, has had a significant impact in the design field.
The second section explores items from the M+ Henry Steiner Project Archive, illustrating how Steiner's designs mirrored the city's development and changes in daily life - the landmarks, promotional campaigns, consumer products, financial institutions, hospitality venues, and social clubs that have shaped Hong Kong's enduring brand identities. Among his most notable works are the HSBC logo, Standard Chartered Bank's banknote designs, and numerous emblems for renowned Hong Kong-based companies.
"I take great pride in having to contribute to the transformative growth of Hong Kong in various aspects, and enabling global audiences to understand and reimagine the art of graphic communication as part of Hong Kong visual culture through this retrospective," he said.
