由直白到留白

畫廊內，白牆掛著一幅幅畫作，不時有人駐足在作品前思考其深意。畫廊由張寶華創立，她曾經是資深新聞記者、娛樂公司高層，如今在藝術界發展，笑言很多朋友覺得三個行業之間全無關連，「但我後來細想，其實它們都關於傳播，亦即我的本科。」

由本科說起，張寶華選擇新傳，皆因相信公民需要知道真相，才可作出獨立思考，從而推動社會蓬勃發展，「最貼近真相的事實亦即新聞，是對社會發展很重要的基礎。」畢業後她順理成章成為記者，「希望見識多些，每天接觸不同的人和事。」

十年後，她卻以同樣原因轉換跑道，「我不太安於舒適圈，一熟悉就開始悶。」她轉任娛樂集團高層，公司涉獵電影、電視節目、音樂等範疇的製作及發行。她形容這段經歷「沒一天是浪費的」，因為採訪固然能夠見世面，但記者只是旁觀者，而上市公司涉及投資和利益，身在其中是另一番得著，「令我的世界更加廣闊」。

但八年後她再次轉向，到海外修讀藝術學士，主修繪畫，並以一級榮譽畢業；舉辦過個人畫展，繼而成立畫廊推廣本土藝術，為香港藝術家提供展覽平台。她說她相信呼召，當時內心出現很大意欲重拾畫畫這項興趣，於是去了升學，其後「因緣際會出現很多機會，驅使我踏入這行。」

回望走過的路，張寶華認為自己的生命都圍繞著傳播，只是表達方式由直白走到現在的含蓄，「新聞訊息要精準淺白，娛樂工業的作品有中心思想向大眾表達，藝術家同樣有話想講，只不過需要在作品中留白，否則往往失去藝術性。」不過三個行業的運作和文化始終有差異，她笑言朋友覺得轉行於她很容易，實情是跳出舒適圈並不舒適，但她覺得冒險精神是新傳人共同特質，「譬如轉去不同範疇的職業，前提是首先你要不怕。」

本科於張寶華的意義，在於為她「安裝了非常耐用的強力電池」，「新傳提供很重要的訓練，例如新聞編採，令我不怕陌生、有勇氣面對未知，這對於日後事業上的開拓及待人接物，都是畢生受用的。」

簡介：
張寶華，1995年於香港中文大學新聞與傳播本科畢業，曾任職有線電視新聞部中國組高級記者、豐德麗控股有限公司高級副總裁，現為本地畫廊 SC Gallery 總監。

From Direct Expression to Subtle Communication

Paintings hang on white gallery walls as visitors pause before each work, contemplating their deeper meanings. The gallery was founded by Cheung Po-wah Sharon, a former senior journalist and entertainment industry executive who has carved out a new path in the art world. Many friends find her three career moves completely unrelated, she laughs, “but when I think about it, they’re all about communication—which is what I studied as an undergraduate.”

Cheung chose journalism and communication because she believed citizens need access to truth in order to think independently and drive social progress. “The facts closest to the truth—news—form a vital foundation for society’s development.” After graduation, she naturally became a reporter, “hoping to see more of the world and meet different people every day.”

A decade later, she switched tracks for the same reason: “I don’t like staying in my comfort zone. Once I get comfortable somewhere, I start feeling restless.” She moved into a senior role at an entertainment conglomerate that produced and distributed films, television shows, and music. She calls this period invaluable—”not a single day was wasted”—because while reporting broadened her horizons, journalists remain outsiders looking in. Being inside a publicly listed company dealing with real investments and stakes gave her entirely different insights that “made my world so much bigger.”

Eight years later, she pivoted again—this time overseas to study for a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in painting. She graduated with first-class honors, held solo exhibitions, and went on to establish a gallery promoting local art and providing exhibition platforms for Hong Kong artists. She describes following a calling: she felt a powerful urge to return to painting, a longtime interest, so she went back to school. “Then one thing led to another—opportunities kept appearing that pulled me into this field.”

Looking back, Cheung sees her entire career as revolving around communication, with her style of expression simply evolving from direct to nuanced. “News has to be precise and clear-cut. Entertainment works convey big ideas to mass audiences. Artists also have something to say, but they need to leave room for interpretation in their work—otherwise it often loses its artistry.” Still, the three industries operate quite differently. Friends think career changes come easily to her, she says with a smile, but stepping outside your comfort zone is never comfortable. She believes having an adventurous spirit is what journalism graduates share. “Like moving into completely different fields—but first, you have to be unafraid.”

For Cheung, her undergraduate education was like having “an incredibly long-lasting, high-powered battery installed.” “Journalism school provided essential training—like news gathering and editing—that made me comfortable with strangers and gave me the courage to face the unknown. That’s served me throughout my career and in all my relationships.”

Profile:

Cheung Po-wah Sharon graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1995. She previously worked as a Senior Reporter on the China Desk at Cable TV News and as Senior Vice President at eSun Holdings Limited. She currently serves as Director of local gallery SC Gallery.