Heritage-arts destination Tai Kwun is never short on original programmes, from performances to digital exhibitions and innovative displays, but its most recent launch takes a step back in time through a celebrated photographer’s lens.
Running from now until February 20, 2026, ‘Book of Changes: The Art of Basil Pao’ is a thematic photography exhibition that explores the profound impact of the I Ching on Chinese life and Chinese cultural heritage through abstract visual dialogue.
As one of the Five Classics in Chinese literature, the I Ching – also known in translation as the Book of Changes – is a divination and philosophy text that stems from the ancient Western Zhou period. It details 64 hexagram formations and their meanings, which can be interpreted by fortune-seekers as moral guidance and wisdom.
Pao, who began his career as an art director and designer for music records and posters, is best known for his photography work on Michael Palin’s BBC travel programmes, which were later published as large-format books. In this exhibition of images, he interprets the concepts explained in the I Ching through two photography series: The Great Walls of China and Glimpses of Silence. In The Great Walls of China, Pao’s work, inspired by Abstract Expressionism, is presented in alignment with the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching. In Glimpses of Silence, the power of nature is the focal point; vast landscapes are showcased to evoke contemplation on the role of humanity in this world and universe.
But that’s not all there is to this exhibition. If your curiosity is roused by the divination properties of the I Ching and you’d like to gain a glimpse into the possible future, you are welcome to seek your own fortune through the ‘Consulting the Book of Changes’ interactive experience on-site. Visitors can also pick up an exclusive postcard featuring artwork from Pao’s The Great Walls of China photography series as a keepsake. If you’re a TK Fan member, you can make use of Tai Kwun’s special mailing service – just scribble down your message on the postcard and send it off to a local address!
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