1. Could you tell us about your recent works of creation?
I'm working on 2 installations. One has been showing in Hong Kong Heritage Museum - MegArtStore Art exhibition, the pieces called "Home & Garden". Which is my most intensive installation so far, it almost takes one year from idea development, preparation to setup.
The other installation is for the Japanese Super Character - Hello Kitty. This is my second times work as an artist for Sanrio. Last year I make use of Melody head to express my concept. This year, I will make use of Kitty head instead. The work title will be "Hello Kitty Party Queen" …. Haha…. Kitsch right?! I try to break through my language this time, no calm any more! The show "Hello Kitty Secret House" will be launch in the end of July.
2. When did you start creating any artwork? Could you tell us a little about your first artwork?
Most of my works are created for invitational exhibition.
I start my creation on cultural posters since 1997. Until 2004, I try to touch on installation art.
My first installation was not made for an art show like most artists usually do. Instead, it was an installation pieces made for a quiet protest for the demolition of the Li Tung Street -Wanchai neighborhood in 2004.
Back then, the residents were expelled from their home where they had stayed for ever, due to the government's policy to renovate the area.
Protest marches and demonstrations had been carried out to express the anger and distress. An architect who had been very involved with the Li Tung Street community invited me to create an art piece for bringing out the sentiments for the destruction and the lost of home.
My idea about the expulsion is that after removal of the people, the interconnection between them will fall apart. So, I made used of yellow rope and asked habitants to line it up from one window to another, across the street. In other words, the rope linked up all the homes. The rope formed a net between windows and buildings that represents the network and connections between the people. The construction workers were required to cut up the rope when the buildings were torn down. That symbolizes the breakdown of the network between the fellow residents. A number of meetings were held together with the people from the neighborhood to illustrate the concept between my art pieces.
3. What kind of events, things or moments inspires you or make you want to create?
Almost those of my art works are inspired by my childhood and daily life. When I was young, I enjoy those exploratory experiences from play around with my neighbors in public housing estate. Which becomes the special element for my art works. "Curious" is he motive power for my creation.
4. Let me ask about your latest work "Home&Garden".
How did the idea of this work come up? What is the theme of this work?
The exhibition had been divided into various sections. The theme given to me is "Home and Garden".
For people who grow up in Hong Kong, they are probably not very familiar with the concept of "Home and Garden". "Garden" is a place where families and friends gather, relax and entertain. But yet for the majority of the Hong Kongers, it has never been part of their life.
Most of us have grown up in crowded environment. When we are at home, the only area that allows us to move around is the tiny space in front of our television set.TV programs become the topics of conversations among the family. The TV set is our "Garden" - our "virtual garden", where we take pleasure in.
Activities that are supposed to take place in the "Garden" are now neighboring the TV set and that is where our family life is centered around. And, it accompanies our growth within the four walls of our home. We are not nourished from our natural sunlight but are sustained by the relentless flashes from our TV set.
5. Do you think of yourself as "TV generation"? Have you been influenced by TV a lot? If so, how?
I used to watch a lot Japanese Cartoon when I was in primary school, , e,g Doraemon, …Which is quite imaginative. Sometime I tried to practice and draw down what I had learnt from cartoon…. haha
But now I just pick up those News, National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Which helps to know what's happening in every corner of the world.
6. How's reaction to "Home&Garden" of people coming to the exhibition?
For the first sight, people normally just focus on what's inside the tank, is there any fish…. so and so. But when they stay longer and come closer, they can hear the sounds and light dramatically change. When they traces the light source, they will looks up and "click" by the TV.
7. For now, what are you expecting to happen in this work at the end of exhibition in November?
I expect the plant wouldn't be healthy. Just like those people spend all day sit in front of the TV.
8. Could you choose one from your work especially you like or very impressive to you? Please tell us reason, too.
I will say "Rain" is my favor work. Which is my first installation for Museum and I found that pieces touch peoples' heart.
9. What do you think of art scene in Hong Kong now?
Hong Kong is an economic oriented city. Art doesn't go naturally with our life here. Many people still think that art couldn't help for money making, so why doing that?! It's tough to be a professional artist here. Besides selling their works, artists will usually do a part time job, e.g. teaching at school and at the rest of time keep developing their art.
But for my case, I'm a full time designer and full time artist; and these two identities would be crossover from time to time.
10. What kind of works do you want to create in the future?
Is there any plan for next creation?
Plan to create some self-initiate project with art and design talents.
11. At last, could you give any message to people seeing your work in Japan?
Hi there, I hope one day I could have my exhibition in Japan! |
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| Bonding |
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| Home & Garden |
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| Hello Kitty Party Queen |
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| Designer Charity Sneaker Project |
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| My Melody |
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| Rain |
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| Rhythm |
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