Department of Fine Arts,
CUHK

Assistant Professor

HO Ka Yi

B.A. (NCCU); M.A. (NCU); Ph.D. (UCLA)

Professor Ka-yi Ho received her Ph.D. degree from the Department of Art History at University of California, Los Angeles. Her research interests include ancient Chinese painting, Chinese court art, religious painting of the Ming and Qing periods, artistic and cultural interactions in East Asia, and the history of art collecting. Professor Ho teaches courses in the history of Chinese painting and calligraphy, including artistic traditions in China, court painting, literati painting, etc. Before joining the Department of Fine Arts in 2020, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the department and the Art Museum, CUHK, and an Andrew W. Mellon predoctoral fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

ORCID id:

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9079-6780

MAJOR PUBLICATIONS

  1. Performing Inaction: The Courtly Arts of Emperor Wanli, 1573–1620. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2026. (forthcoming)
  2. (Catalogue essay) “Wenwuguan chuan Wu Bin Baimiao shiba luohan tu: Lun baimiao luohan tu zhi chengli yu fazhan” 文物館傳吳彬《白描十八羅漢圖》——論白描羅漢圖之成立與發展 [Eighteen arhats attributed to Wu Bin: A discussion of the establishment of the biaomiao depiction of arhats and its development]. In Linghai molin: Huang Shi jiazu bainian zhencang 嶺海墨林：黃氏家族百年珍藏 [The Wong family: A century of collecting], edited by Lung Tak Chun, 131– Hong Kong: Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2025.
  3. (Catalogue entries) “Tao Xuan” 陶鉉, 480–83; “Dai Jin” 戴進, 484–87; “Xia Chang” 夏昶, 489–91; “Yan Zong” 顏宗, 492–97; “Li Zai” 李在, 498–501; “Zhang Lu” 張路, 514–16; “Wen Chu” 文俶, 544–48; “Huang Xiangjian” 黃向堅, 549–53; “Xin’an yiyun” 新安逸韻, 562–73; “Shitao” 石濤, 578–83. In Xiangjiang cangzhen: Xianggang san da gu shuhua shoucang 香江藏珍——香港三大古書畫收藏 [The pride of Hong Kong: Three preeminent collections of ancient paintings and calligraphies], edited by Hong Kong Museum of Art. Hong Kong: Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 2025.
  4. “The Apex of Privilege: Ming Court Painting in the Late Fifteenth Century.” Ming Qing Yanjiu 29 (June 2025): 1–35.
  5. “Qianlong guhua jianshangguan de xingcheng” 乾隆古畫鑑賞觀的形成—以李公麟之作為例 [The formation of Qianlong’s connoisseurship on ancient paintings: A case study of Li Gonglin’s works]. Gugong wenwu yuekan 故宮文物月刊 [The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art], no. 505 (April 2025): 84–
  6. (Catalogue essay) “Learning from Old Masters: An Aspect of the Guangdong Paintings in the Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art.” In Four Seasons of Chinese Painting from the Birmingham Museum of Art, edited by Katherine Anne Paul, 30–39. Birmingham, AL: Birmingham Museum of Art, 2023.
  7. “Cezhan, tulu bianxie yu Zhongguo huihuashi yanjiu, jiaoxue” 策展、圖錄編寫與中國繪畫史研究、教學 [A reflection on the interlocking relationships between curating, catalog writing, research, and teaching in the field of history of Chinese painting]. Yishuxue yanjiu fukan．2021 yishushi jiaoxue yanjiu qushi zuotanhui zhuankan 藝術學研究附刊・2021藝術史教學研究趨勢座談會專刊 [Journal of Art Studies．2021 Forum on Trends in Art History Teaching and Research], no. 31 (December 2022): 33–62.
  8. “Zhang Daqian de ‘Dafeng tang’ yu Ming yimin huajia Zhang Dafeng” 張大千的「大風堂」與明遺民畫家張大風 [Zhang Daqian’s Dafeng Studio and Ming loyalist Zhang Dafeng]. In Manyou anzan yishushi 漫遊按讚藝術史 [Art History Strolls], edited by Shao-chien Tseng, 34–40. Taipei: Uni-Books, 2022.
  9. “Wanli chao de gongting huihua yu zhengzhi: yi Chujing rubi tu yu Cisheng kuan fohua weili” 萬曆朝的宮廷繪畫與政治——以〈出警入蹕圖〉與慈聖款佛畫為例 [Paintings and politics in the Wanli court: A study on Imperial Procession Departing from and Returning to the Forbidden City and Buddhist paintings commissioned by Empress Dowager Cisheng]. Gugong xueshu jikan 故宮學術季刊 [The National Palace Museum Research Quarterly] 39, no. 2 (December 2021): 77–127.
  10. “Chutan Xia Jing Shan Luohan tu de yishu tezheng: jianlun fohua huayang de jizhong chuan yan fangshi” 初探夏荊山〈羅漢圖〉的藝術特徵——兼論佛畫畫樣的幾種傳演方式 [A preliminary study of Xia Jing Shan’s arhat paintings and the transmission and adaptation of Buddhist painting models]. Xia Jing Shan yishu lunheng 夏荊山藝術論衡 [Journal of Xia Jing Shan’s Art], no. 11 (March 2021): 70–96.
  11. “Wenzi jishi? Tuxiang xiezhen? Cong wenxian yu Ming Xiaozong zuxiang kan Mingdai diwang huaxiang de xieshixing yu shehui gongneng” 文字紀實？圖像寫真？從文獻與《明孝宗坐像》看明代帝王畫像的寫實性與社會功能 [A study on the realism and social functions of the imperial portraits of the Ming dynasty from textual records and Portrait of Ming Xiaozong]. Gugong wenwu yuekan 故宮文物月刊 [The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art], no. 455 (February 2021): 82–89.
  12. (Catalogue entries) Minghua quanji 明畫全集 [A comprehensive collection of Ming painting], edited by Zhejiang daxue Zhongguo gudai shuhua yanjiu zhongxin. Hongzhou: Zhejiang daxue chubanshe. (Six entries on the paintings in the collection of Art Museum, CUHK)
  13. (Deputy editor; catalogue essays and entries) Beishan jigu: Zhongguo huihua 北山汲古——中國繪畫 [The Bei Shan Tang Legacy: Chinese Painting], edited by Kar Leung Harold Mok. Hong Kong: Department of Fine Arts and the Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2019. “Xianggang zhongwen daxue wenwuguang can de Xiang Shengmo zuoping” 香港中文大學文物館藏的項聖謨作品 [Xiang Shengmo’s paintings in the collection of the Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong], 16–21; “Mingdai qingshou shenxian renwuhua” 明代慶壽神仙人物畫 [Paintings of deities for observing birthdays in the Ming dynasty], 316–23; and cats. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35, 40, 46, 47, 50, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 78, 95, 96, 98, 110, 111, 112, 113.
  14. “Xianggang zhongda wenwuguan ‘Beishan jigu: Zhongguo huihua’ tezhan daoshang” 香港中文大學文物館「北山汲古——中國繪畫」特展導賞 [Exhibition preview on the Bei Shan Tang Legacy: Chinese Painting]. Daguan 大觀 [Daguan Monthly], no. 121 (October 2019): 6–23.
  15. “Xianggang zhongda wenwuguan ‘Beishan jigu: Zhongguo huihua’ zhan” 香港中文大學文物館「北山汲古——中國繪畫」展 [The Bei Shan Tang Legacy: Chinese Painting exhibition at the Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong]. Diancang gumeishu 典藏古美術 [Art & Collection], no. 324 (September 2019): 104–11.
  16. “Riben Quanwu boguguan Gaoli fohua dazhan” 日本泉屋博古館高麗佛畫大展 [Exhibition Preview on the Goryeo Buddhist Painting at the Sen-oku hakuko kan, Kyoto]. Daguan 大觀 [Daguan Monthly], no. 86 (November 2016): 62–65.
  17. “Daduhui bowuguan Zhongguo waixiaoci tezhan: Daduhui bowuguan Baxi shoucangjia R. Albuquerque Zhongguo waixiaoci tezhan” 大都會博物館中國外銷瓷特展：大都會博物館巴西收藏家 Albuquerque中國外銷瓷特展 [Exhibition review on the Global by Design: Chinese Ceramics from the R. Albuquerque Collection at the Met]. Daguan 大觀 [Daguan Monthly], no. 81 (June 2016): 96–99.
  18. “‘Guancang Zhongguo shuhua jingpinzhan’: Meiguo Niuyue Daduhui yishu bowuguan zhanlan jieshao” 「館藏中國書畫精品展」：美國紐約大都會藝術博物館展覽介紹 [Exhibition review on the Masterpieces of Chinese Painting from the Metropolitan Collection] Daguan 大觀 [Daguan Monthly], no. 76 (January 2016): 102–5.
  19. “Wanglu shidai xia de guanzhan jingyan: Yi Meiguo Daduhui yishu bowuguan Zhongguo ceye yishuzhan weili” 網路時代下的觀展經驗：以美國大都會藝術博物館「中國冊頁藝術展」為例 [Exhibition review on the The Art of the Chinese Album at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]. Daguan 大觀 [Daguan Monthly], no. 66 (March 2015): 102–4.
  20. “Chinese Pictorial Motifs in the Korean Monastery: Paintings of Thirty-Three Patriarchs at Sŏnamsa.” NMK 2012 Museum Network Fellowship Research Papers (2013.01): 124–43.
  21. (Catalogue entries) The Artful Recluse: Painting, Poetry, and Politics in Seventeenth-Century China, edited by Peter Sturman and Susan Tai. Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 2012, cats 9, 32, 55.
  22. “Chuan Li Tang Jin Wengong fuguo tu” 傳李唐《晉文公復國圖》 “[Duke Wen of Jin Recovering His State Attributed to Li Tang]. Yih Yih Fenn Tzyy 議藝份子, no. 8 (2006): 140–55.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

  1. “Birthday Celebration and Immortal Paintings in the Imperial Court of the Ming Dynasty.” College Art Association Annual Conference, New York City. February 13, 2025.
  2. “The Apex of Privilege: Ming Court Painting in the Late Fifteenth Century.” New Subjects and Approaches to Art Historical Research in Korea and Hong Kong Symposium, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, August 2, 2024.
  3. “(Literati?) Paintings of the Wu in the Mid-Ming Period: Competition, Patronage, and Regional Identity.” Association for Asian Studies Annual Conference, Seattle, WA. March 14, 2024.
  4. “Ma Yuan and the Afterlife of His Painting Style in Fifteenth-Century East Asia.” AAS-in-Asia Conference, Deagu, Korea. June 26, 2023.
  5. “Chaersi Lang Folier cang Zhongguo fojiao huihua zhi tezheng yu wujian” 查爾斯・朗・佛利爾藏中國佛教繪畫之特徵與誤鑑 [A study on the characteristics and misattributions of Charles Lang Freer’s Chinese Buddhist painting collection], 2022 藝術史暨視覺文化國際學術研討會 [2022 International Symposium on Art History & Visual Culture]. Taoyuan, Taiwan. October 15, 2022.
  6. “Chutan Xia Jing Shan Luohan tu de yishu tezheng: jianlun fohua huayang de jizhong chuan yan fangshi” 初探夏荊山〈羅漢圖〉的藝術特徵——兼論佛畫畫樣的幾種傳演方式 [A Preliminary Study of Xia Jing Shan’s Arhat Paintings and the Transmission and Adaptation of Buddhist Painting Models]. 2020 Xia Jing Shan guoji xueshu yantaohui 夏荊山國際學術研討會 [2020 Xia Jing Shan Academic Seminar], Kaohsiung, Taiwan. June 14, 2020.
  7. “Invitation to Reclusion: Xiang Shengmo (1597–1658) and His Art beyond the Ming-Qing Transition.” Association for Asian Studies Annual Conference, Denver, March 21-24, 2019.
  8. “Transformation and Appropriation of Woodcut Illustrated Daoist and Buddhist Figures in the Late-Imperial Period.” Association for Asian Studies Annual Conference, Seattle. April 1, 2016.
  9. “Court Art from the Marketplace: Reconstructing the Pattern of Court Patronage in the Late Ming Period.” College Art Association Annual Conference, New York City, February 11, 2015.

INVITED TALKS

  1. “Fulier meishuguan cang (chuan) Li Gonglin huihua” 佛利爾美術館藏（傳）李公麟繪畫 [Paintings attributed to Li Gonglin in the collection of Freer Gallery of Art]. “Zhongguo lidai huihua daxi” Xianggang xueshu jiaoliu huodong 「中國歷代繪畫大系」香港專題學術交流活動 [Hong Kong Thematic Academic Exchange Event on A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings], organized by Zhejiang University and City University of Hong Kong. City University of Hong Kong. January 30, 2026.
  2. “The Imperial Processions of Emperor Wanli (r. 1573–1620),” CAH2545 Exploring China: Words, Images, and Objects Guest Lecture, City University of Hong Kong. February 21, 2025.
  3. “Huihua zhong de Zhongguo fangxiang wenhua” 繪畫中的中國芳香文化 [Chinese Fragrance Culture in Painting], The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Fragrance of Time—In Search of Chinese Art of Scent Public Talk. Hong Kong Museum of Art. September 8, 2024.
  4. “Gaoli fojiao yishu san: Gaoli fohua” 高麗佛教藝術III：高麗佛畫 [Korean Buddhist Art III: Goryeo Buddhist Painting]. Buddhist Art and Culture-Advance Course: Asia Series, Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum, Hong Kong. August 4, 2024.
  5. “Zhongguo chuantong huihua pinping: yi Xianggang gugong wenhua bowuguan ‘Guo zhi quibao’ zhan de jijian zuopin weili” 中國傳統繪畫品評——以香港故宮文化博物館「國之瑰寶」展的幾件作品為例 [Appreciation of Traditional Chinese Painting: Focusing on the Works in the special exhibition “Making of Masterpieces-Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Palace Museum”]. Chinese Culture Week Talk Series, Chinese Society, A.A.H.K.U.S.U. 香港大學中文學會中國文化周系列講座. The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. October 6, 2022.
  6. “Zhongguo huihua shangxi ji meishuguan diancang” 中國繪畫賞析及美術館典藏 [Appreciation of Chinese painting and museum collections]. Christie’s Education, Hong Kong. July 28, 2022.
  7. “Chuantong Zhongguo yishushi jiaoxue yu meishuguan zai Xianggang” 傳統中國藝術史教學與美術館在香港 [Teaching traditional Chinese art and art museums in Hong Kong]. 2021 Yishushi jiaoxue yanjiu qushi zuotanhui 2021 藝術史教學研究趨勢座談會 [2021 Trends in Art History Research and Teaching Symposium], National Central University, Zhongli. December 11, 2021.
  8. “Bei Shan Tang de wenhua yichan ji wenwu jinghua” 北山堂的文化遺產及文物精華 [The cultural legacy and essential artifacts of the Bei Shan Tang]. Min Chiu Society 敏求精舍, Hong Kong. June 8, 2021.
  9. “Exhibition Review: ‘The Artful Recluse: Painting, Poetry, and Politics in 17th Century China’.” Christie’s Education, Hong Kong, May 26, 2020.
  10. “The Three Perfections: Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting.” Christie’s Education, Hong Kong, May 19, 2020.
  11. “Xianggang Zhongda Wenwuguan cang de Xiang Shengmo zuopin” 香港中大文物館藏的項聖謨作品 [Xiang Shengmo’s (1597–1658) Paintings in the Collection of the Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong], and “Mingdai qingshou shenxian renwuhua” 明代慶壽神仙人物畫 [Paintings of deities for observing birthdays in the Ming dynasty]. The Bei Shan Tang Legacy: Chinese Painting Symposium, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, October 19, 2019.
  12. “Wanli shiqi (1573–1620) Mingdai gongting huihua de fuxing” 萬曆時期（1573–1620）明代宮廷繪畫的復興 [The Revival of Ming Court Painting during the Wanli Era (1573–1620)]. Yishushi wucan juhui 藝術史午餐聚會 [Art History at Lunch], Department of Fine Arts and Art Museum, CUHK, February 2, 2018.
  13. “The Two Empress Dowager Cisheng’s Buddhist Paintings in the Met’s Collection and Cisheng’s Patronage Strategy.” Paper presented in the Spring Fellows Colloquia organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 4, 2016.

EXHIBITION

  1. “The Bei Shan Tang Legacy: Chinese Painting.” The Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 21/9-15/12/2019.

RESEARCH PROJECT

  1. Principal Investigator, “Charles Lang Freer’s Chinese Buddhist Painting Collection.” Reference no. 14601724, Research Grants Council GRF, 1/1/2025–30/6/2026.
  2. PI, Direct Grant for Research 2025–26, First Round, Emperor Qianlong’s Connoisseurship on Ancient Paintings, Research Committee, CUHK, and Faculty of Arts, 1/3/2025–28/2/2026.
  3. Principal Investigator, “Ming court Painting of the Hongzhi Reign (1487–1505): Emperor, Painters, and Their Legacy.” Reference no. 24604521, Research Grants Council ECS, 1/1/2022–31/12/2024.
  4. PI, Direct Grant for Research 2021–22, First Round, A Study on the Characteristics and Misattribution of Charles Lang Freer’s Chinese Painting Collection, Research Committee, CUHK, and Faculty of Arts, 1/3/2022–28/2/2023.