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The public relations arm of Hong Kong’s protest movement

Inkstone

發布於 2019年08月23日16:08

When protests in Hong Kong against a now-abandoned extradition bill started in June, illustrator Chris Wong, 24, decided to use his artistic talents to support them.

From designing poster art to writing copy in English and Chinese, Wong and his fellow artists comprise the public relations arm of the leaderless anti-government movement, which is now in its 11th week.

They are responsible for much of the protest art circulating on social media or posted to walls of sticky notes, called Lennon Walls.

"I'm new to politics," Wong said. "I didn't participate much in the 2014 protests, which was something I deeply regretted because they failed to achieve the aim of universal suffrage. If I didn't do anything to support the protests this time, I think I would regret it again."

His artwork " in a style similar to Japanese anime " conveys the protesters' demands, their points of view and aims to galvanize supporters to take to the streets.

Designed by illustrator Chris Wong, this poster publicizes a rally held on August 8. The picture below of a black-clad couple kissing was derived from a Reuters photo.
Designed by illustrator Chris Wong, this poster publicizes a rally held on August 8. The picture below of a black-clad couple kissing was derived from a Reuters photo.

Echoing the decentralized nature of the movement, the artists are self-organizing. They work alone or in groups formed through chat channels and social media.

College student May, who declined to provide her surname for fear of prosecution, runs a Facebook page for protesters she met online in June, when they worked together to organize a crowdfunded global ad campaign.

She had never met her new colleagues before the protests. They now hang out in real life, but most of their work is done online on a shared Google Drive folder.

The results are shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or they might be airdropped to passers-by on the streets or on public transport.

The text on the helmet reads, 'Don't shoot at  protestors' heads.' This poster is a cartoon rendition of a woman believed to have been shot in the eye with a beanbag round by the police during clashes in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui district.
The text on the helmet reads, 'Don't shoot at protestors' heads.' This poster is a cartoon rendition of a woman believed to have been shot in the eye with a beanbag round by the police during clashes in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui district.

May said the wide variety of artistic styles favored by the different artists appealed to different members of society.

"Artists who can turn the uglier and more dangerous sides of the protests into appealing graphics make it easier for different people to understand the situation," she said, referring to the violent clashes that have often taken place between demonstrators and police.

Standing outside a subway station at rush hour, high school student Josh, 17, said he wanted to reach out to people in person with homemade leaflets.

"The leaflets can keep people who aren't up to date with the protests informed, because they can read it during their daily commute," he said.

Much of the political art shared online was initially created by supporters of the anti-government protests.

But groups who support the Hong Kong-government and the local police force are also making their own posters, which are circulated on Facebook and WeChat.

In this poster widely shared among pro-Beijing groups, Hong Kong is portrayed as a sullen child who broke her mother's heart despite all the gifts she was offered.
In this poster widely shared among pro-Beijing groups, Hong Kong is portrayed as a sullen child who broke her mother's heart despite all the gifts she was offered.

Both sides are using art to sway public opinion, but how effective is it?

Cheung Chor-yung, a senior teaching fellow at the Department of Public Policy of the City University of Hong Kong, said society was already too divided.

"These promo materials reinforce supporters' beliefs, instead of trying to change people's political views. Unless something significant happened, it would be difficult to have any actual impact because both sides have already developed strong viewpoints on the issue," he said.

He added that echo chambers produced by social media also further amplified the polarizing ideas.

'Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now' is a slogan devised by pro-independence activist Edward Leung in 2016. It is one of the most commonly heard chants during Hong Kong's monthslong protests.
'Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now' is a slogan devised by pro-independence activist Edward Leung in 2016. It is one of the most commonly heard chants during Hong Kong's monthslong protests.

Although Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam has declared the bill "dead," protesters aren't giving up.

More marches and a school strike are planned for September to demand the bill's formal withdrawal from the city's legislative agenda, as well as an investigation of police conduct and democratic elections.

Wong and his fellow artists expect to stay busy.

Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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