1. Could you tell us about your recent works of creation? How is people's feedback to the work?
My latest works are the pair of panda showing in the container exhibition during Tokyo Designer's Week 2007. Most people like it and many people take photo with it. Many children even climb on it! These are the most straightforward feedback I like.
2. When did you start creating any artwork? Could you tell us about your first work, and also how your started our career as a sculptor?
I start making junk wood sculpture from 1997, that's my final year in the fine art department at Hong Kong Chinese University. And my first work was "elephant brothers". After graduated, I keep on creating junk wood sculpture in my own style and luckily entered in Hong Kong Biennial Exhibition 2001 & 2003. At the mean time, there's some gallery inviting me to join their group show. It makes me have the confidence to continue my role as a sculptor.
3. Your animal sculptures are humorous and also very powerful, especially big size ones like monsters, giraffes, or ox. How come you started creating animals with junk woods? How did you come up with the idea of these creations?
It's a long story actually. When I'm still thinking of my final project for the graduation show, there's some construction work near our department. I was moved by the junk wood they throw after used. "Why we spent so many years to plan a tree but throw it as rubbish so easily?" "Can I use them to make something meaningful?" "Art work should not just created by expensive art material!!" all these idea come together with the memory of the cartoon character in my children period become the starting point of my creation.
4. You participated in "Love from Hong Kong" (the container exhibition presented by Hong Kong Trade Development Council) in Tokyo Designer's Week 2007. How did you decide to join the project, and how was the experience joining such a design event in Tokyo?
I join the project under the invitation of our curator, Benny Au. His idea about how to communicate different type of creation, different people and different places was attracted to me.
Surely it's my pleasure to join this event, I feel so excited in the whole journey especially it's my first time to Japan and joining exhibition overseas. It's a good time for me to learn a lot from excellent design around the world and the spirit of Japanese gave me a great impact.
5. In the book for "Love from Hong Kong", you were saying that outstanding creation should be a "magic", transforming one thing into something in another level.
What do you think is essential for a "magical" work when you create an artwork?
The "Heart" or the "Spirit" is the most important thing for a "magical" work, I believe that a work with heart can moved people even it's a work created by kids. When I looking at a work, I can feel the love, the energy and even can hearing the work talking to me if the creator was made it wholeheartedly.
6. I heard that you worked in Fotan area, where there was kind of a community of artists who owned their studios, using buildings which used to be factories.
Could you tell us a little about Fotan? What kind of place Fotan is actually like, or what do you and other artists usually do in such an "art village"?
Fotan is one of the major industrial areas in Hong Kong before. After most of the manufacture industry transfer to mainland China and other south-Asia countries, a lot of the factory buildings were empty.
It becomes a good chance to let some fresh graduated art students group together and rent a unit as their art studio. Relatively low rent with quite big space attracted more and more artist join in and finally creates such art village. In fact, it's not really a well organized village but only a combination of art studios. The annual open day was the only chance we meet each other.
7. What kind of events, things or moments turns to be the source of your inspiration?
Is there any special thing inspiring you lately?
Cartoon (especially those for young kids) always inspire me a lot. Each character has a clear-cut characteristic and rich facial express. It's welcomed by people from all walks of life. I want my art work have the similar charm.
Besides, different joining technique using in furniture also inspire me to think about the way to compose my work like a big toy.
8. What is the basic thought (or theme) you would you like to share with your audience throughout your works?
Enjoy art work naturally is my basic thought that I want to share with audience. Lots of people (may be just Hong Kong people?) think that "Art" is a high and deep matter because it's difficult to understand. May be it's true that some of the contemporary art work is difficult to let audience enjoy. However, not all art work needs to "understand". Sometimes we just need to feel it directly without using our brain. Just like my work, if the audiences have feeling, they just need to smile or take a photo with it. Don't try to find out the answer as there's no question.
9. Who is your favorite artist (in any genre)?
Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) is my favorite artist. His art work and his study about art brut make me think a lot
10. Could you choose one from your work especially you like or very special to you? Please tell us reason, too.
The work "Monster" has a special meaning for me because it's the final project in my university life.
It was my first time to make a quite big size work and I spend nearly a month day in and day out to finish it. After this experience, I love to make some big size animal which can depart and integrate. I satisfy with the process so much since I need to use my imagination, problem solving skill and my energy to finish it.
11. What do you think of creative scene in Hong Kong now, compared with other countries?
Also, you run a youth art studio. How do you want to be involved in Hong Kong creative scene, as a sculptor and also an art instructor for young people?
The creative scene in Hong Kong is a bit better than before since the Government pushing it in this few years. However, as a commercial city, most of the people always link up creativity and money. They think that if creativity can't make money, it's non value indeed. It wasn't a good phenomenon and that's why even Thailand or mainland China seems having a better Art scene than in Hong Kong.
As a leader in a young art studio and a young artist in Hong Kong, I really want to let people know that art can be part of daily live. Not all student and parent need to become artist or familiar with all kind of Art form. But at least I hope they can establish their own sense of beauty whereas don't just follow the trend raised by some magazines.
12. What kind of works would you like to create in the future?
Is there any plan for next creation?
I would like to combine sculpture and furniture together with my own style by using junk wood. I've plan it for quiet a long time already. Since Hong Kong is a small place, not many people can afford enough space for a sculpture. But furniture is something we all needed. So my thought and my sculpture would become part of their daily life if they can keep it at home. Hope I can start this idea in the coming project.
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| Panda |
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| Lucky Bat in jail |
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| Mr. Ox |
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| Tiger skin |
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| Horses |
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