Closer look

For Luk, learning about the collection is an ongoing process.

"But often, the ideas for exhibitions come from having seen something that is interesting in the collection, and sparking some kind of idea, and considering the condition of the work as well," she says.

She highlights a work that she thinks has important significance for the China collection at the museum — Vitality of Heaven and Earth, or Fascination of Nature, painted by Xie Chufang in 1321.

It seems to be a painting of flowers, plants and insects. But when visitors look closer, they see the insects are hunting each other. The painting is in incredibly fine condition, with bright colors and details rarely seen in such old works.

"Apart from the fact that it is a very fine example of this finely painted style, we now believe it is the earliest classical Chinese painting that ended up owned by an English collector called William Butler in 1797," Luk says. "I think it's a really good example of how, from hundreds of years ago, there's already this kind of curiosity toward Chinese art and culture. I think that's an important point that we hope to draw on, and then continue to develop with our work today."