If you’re on the hunt for your next favourite Hong Kong artist, you don’t have to look very far. As the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong approaches, we introduce you to a selection of talented local artists who are making a mark on the city’s thriving art scene. Hailing from countless different backgrounds, with different viewpoints, the work they make is varied too.
Marian Ang
Marian Ang, an art historian with a background in art and antiquities cultural heritage protection as a former consultant for UNESCO, explores the significance of material culture in contemporary society through her art. In her paintings, Ang combines everyday and ordinary objects with narratives rooted in art history and cultural heritage. By focusing on genres such as still life and domestic scenes, she aims to pay homage to the value of personal memories, intergenerational connections, and the complex emotions associated with third culture experiences. This concept forms the foundation of her initial series, titled "Home Sweet Home."
Her most recent series, titled "A Room of One's Own," derives its name from the 1929 essay by English writer Virginia Woolf. Ang's curiosity lies in the personal spaces created by renowned women artists, the possessions they chose to incorporate into their lives, and the beauty and simplicity found in their everyday existence. This series also draws inspiration from Louise Bourgeois' concept of the Femme Maison and explores questions regarding female identity within domestic and professional spheres.
Joe, Wong Man Hon
With remarkable creativity and a single sheet of paper, artist Joe Wong masterfully crafts awe-inspiring paper artworks adorned with vibrant colours, distinct layers, and exquisite compositions. Rooted in a deep appreciation for cultural heritage, Joe's artistic endeavours revolve around assimilating traditional customs and reinterpreting them in harmony with the essence of modern design aesthetics. Each of Joe's creations possesses a distinctiveness that can be seamlessly blended with various styles or stripped down to its fundamental lines. His works epitomise a harmonious fusion of sublimation and restoration, effortlessly capturing the pure simplicity of traditional paper art while exuding a contemporary sense of refinement.
Acting as a bridge between tradition and the present, Joe has collaborated with numerous Chinese and international brands, establishing his own paper art brands: POSTalk, FingerART, and Jw. His unwavering dedication lies in crafting paper artworks that seamlessly blend design, culture, and art. Continuously pushing the boundaries and venturing into uncharted creative territories, Joe consistently seeks to break free from the confines of conventional frameworks, embarking on new artistic endeavours.
Kisook Lee
Kisook Lee, a graduate of Hongik University College of Fine Arts and its graduate school, engages in a unique artistic process. By blending soil and Korean paper, she kneads the mixture and spreads it onto canvases. Subsequently, she applies a harmonious arrangement of lines on the damp Korean paper coated with soil. To further enhance her works, Lee melts paint derived from stone powder and soil powder into the artwork. Through her artistic style, she seeks to depict natural landscapes using simplistic lines.
The resulting pieces portray mountains, fields, flowers and plants commonly found in our surroundings.
C Chung
C Chung, also known as See Wai-chung, was born in Hong Kong and has led a diverse career path. He initially served as a painting columnist for Sing Pao Daily News and later dedicated many years to working in a mental rehabilitation institution. Currently, he is a full-time artist, immersing himself in the realms of painting and music creation, using colour to heal and touch souls.
His artistry and insights have been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines, where his works and interviews have been published. In 2012, he was honoured with an invitation from a Spanish gallery to participate in the esteemed SWAB ART FAIR 2012, held in Barcloan, Spain. Additionally, his artworks have been showcased in various collaborative exhibitions across China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
You’ll be able to engage with these Hong Kong artists’ work at Affordable Art Fair this 16 – 19 May. Join us in our annual hallmark event with thousands of pieces all under HK$100,000. It’s going to be a great edition! Get tickets here.