The WestK Academy opened an exhibition under its inaugural Artist-in-Residence pilot program on Sunday at the Ma Wan 1868 island.
The exhibition, titled Undercurrents, displayed more than 40 works created by Czech and Hong Kong artists during their 10-week residency on the island, exploring nature, sustainability and connections between humans and the environment.
Coming from different backgrounds and multidisciplinary areas, the five Czech artists and six Hong Kong artists worked across painting, sculpture, prints, installations, and multimedia.
Their works at the exhibition were inspired by the natural surroundings, history and distinctive culture of Ma Wan Island and Hong Kong, according to the artists.
For example, through watercolor on silk Bauhinia, Czech artist Michal Bacak seeks to depict Hong Kong’s floral emblem in a traditional Chinese medium, in a contrast to his canvas work.
Inspired by the daily rhythm of the sea in Ma Wan, local artist Jive Lau made a neon sculpture on a wooden base to transform the moving water into a fixed form of artistic expression. “The twisted shapes echo the moving tides, and irregular air pockets resemble frozen sea foams,” according to its exhibit label.
The WestK Academy set up the initiative with a vision to foster artistic exchanges, collaboration and creative exploration between local and international artists, with support from Ma Wan 1868, operated and managed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, as venue sponsor.
Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee, CEO of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, said WKCDA is proud to witness the first successful outcome of the artist-in-residence program, which marks an important milestone for the WestK Academy and reflects its vision that arts and cultural development thrive through exchange, collaboration and experimentation.
“Importantly, the program also enables artists to connect with the wider public, while feeding more works for appreciation and acquisition into Hong Kong's increasingly vibrant arts ecosystem,” she said at the exhibition opening ceremony on Sunday.
“These initiatives will further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange.”
Raymond Kwok Ping-luen, chairman and managing director of Sun Hung Kai Properties, said at the event that SHKP is delighted to host this pilot program at Ma Wan 1868.
“As one of our key ESG (environmental, social, governance) initiatives, we have transformed this former fishing village into a vibrant arts and culture center, which provides a perfect context for the cultural exchange between the Czech and local artists,” he said.
“More importantly, the program highlights our strong partnership with WKCDA as we work together to transform West Kowloon into a world-class hub where culture and commerce flourish together.”
Contact the writer at wanglinyan@chinadailyhk.com
