薛美龄 IMAGE ARCHIVE

Beneath the bauhinia trees

Beneath the bauhinia trees depicts a cross-section of significant periods in the history of Hong Kong from the commencement of British Rule to the present. The species was first cultivated by French Catholic Missionaries during the 1890s. By the early 20th Century the trees had flourished throughout the territory. They also accompanied Chinese migrants as they established new communities in countries such as Canada, the United States of America and Australia. The bauhinia is not only the floral emblem of Hong Kong but is also the central motif of the national flag. In each composition the trees provide a geographic marker. They form a backdrop for a series of vignettes representing significant periods in the history of the region.