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With Hong Kong Arts Month in full swing, the city is set to play host to a Rolodex of creatives from around the world. But that’s not to say that we are in short supply of homegrown talent. Hong Kong has become a cultural capital in its own right, and this is thanks in no small part to the city’s creative talents. So, if you are looking to add a few new names to your radar, these are the local artists to note.
Image via Facebook / H QUEEN'S
Shantou-born, Hong Kong-based artist Tsang Kin-wah is best known for his wallpaper art – ornate shapes and patterns that appear to be intricate designs. On closer examination, viewers can see that the patterns are made from profane words and phrases – often graphic and expletive in nature. Tsang’s works are held in collections the world over, including the Guggenheim in New York, the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, and the Sigg Collection in Lucerne, Switzerland. He has represented Hong Kong at the Venice Biennale and was the first solo exhibiting artist at the M+ Pavilion.
Image via Wikimedia Commons / Francisco Anzola
Kwok Mang-ho is a 72-year old artist, better known as ‘Frog King’. The multimedia and performance artist originally trained under the ink master Lui Shou-kwan, but has since forged his own unique style. Frog King has been instrumental in shaping the realm of contemporary arts in Hong Kong, from the early 1970s to the present day. He is also one of the most easily identifiable artists in the city, thanks to his unconventional appearance, taking the moniker Frog King very much to heart.
Image via Facebook / Wong Ping Animation Laboratory
Animation artist Wong Ping is known for his often explicit, controversial social commentaries. The films initially depict an innocent nostalgia, though they are often used to delve deep into darker tales. Wong’s art has been exhibited internationally, from the Guggenheim to Art Basel in Miami, while his works have been specially commissioned for M+ and for designer brand, Prada. His short film, Who’s the Daddy (2017), is currently on display at Tai Kwun as part of the group show, The Violence of Gender.
Image via Facebook / Art of Jonathan Jay Lee
Jonathan Jay Lee is an award-winning illustrator known for his hyper-realist style and his depictions of Hong Kong street scenes. His works have featured in advertising campaigns and creative commissions for the likes of Mercedes, Harvey Nichols, Red Bull, and Marvel Comics, among others. Lee also teaches a course in illustration at the Hong Kong SCAD campus.
Read more! Check out what's on in Hong Kong this Arts Month
Image via Facebook / ArtisTree
Samson Young is a Hong Kong-born multimedia and sound artist. Graduating from Princeton University with a PhD in Music Composition in 2013, he has since gone to exhibit his works internationally. Known for his cross-cultural explorations, Young has showcased his works at the M+ Pavilion, the Biennale of Sydney, and more, and has collaborated as an artist associate with professional symphony orchestra the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
Image via Wikimedia Commons / Kacey Wong
Kacey Wong is an architect, sculptor, and visual artist from Hong Kong. His works, which are often politically charged, reflect the social climate and address issues of belonging and culture to homelessness and environmentalism. Wong was also instrumental in founding the Umbrella Movement Art Preservation organisation, a group dedicated to salvaging protest created during Occupy Central.
Read more! Discover some Inspiring Hong Kong Illustrators, and explore our Culture section on Localiiz.
Following a brief and bitterly cold stint in Scotland, Amanda returned to Hong Kong—a place she’s called home for over 18 years—to begin her career as a writer. She can often be found getting lost somewhere very familiar, planning her next holiday, and enjoying a cup (or three) of good, strong coffee.
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