Wanderers’ Land–Cityscapes in Hong Kong @France (Paris), Belgium (Antwerp, Brussels), Portugal (Lisbon)
Organiser: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels
Curator: Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base)
Wanderers’ Land–Cityscapes in Hong Kong
@France (Paris), Belgium (Antwerp, Brussels), Portugal (Lisbon)
From structures intertwining the modern and retro designs, varied cityscapes, to traditional customs and performance, Hong Kong always showcases a facade of integrating East and West, and blending the old with the new. All kinds of cultures, history, stories, and affection are entailed. Be it the Hong Kong local or overseas tourist, one can discover the uniqueness and charm of the city everywhere, appreciate the beautiful view, and enjoy it.
Presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, curated by Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base), Wanderers’ Land—Cityscapes in Hong Kong is a touring pop-up exhibition being held in France, Belgium, and Portugal respectively. It exhibits a curation of drawings about Hong Kong featured spots, bringing foreign audiences to look around Hong Kong from a local's perspective. Through this pop-up exhibition, it is also hoped that Hong Kong artists and creations can be introduced to the world in order to promote the long-term development of the Hong Kong local arts and culture.
In France and Belgium, the pop-up exhibition features drawings by local comics artist Pen So. Using a monochromatic palette of black and white, he depicts six local iconic spots, namely Tung Tak Pawn Shop, Hong Kong tram, Quarry Bay 'Monster Building', Lion Rock, Mido Cafe, and Dai Kam Lung Company. With his intricate strokes, he authentically illustrates the urban characteristics with local stories, meanwhile, shows his soft spot for the place where he grew up.
In Portugal, apart from Pen So's works, the exhibition also displays creations by local creator Yandy Wu. Different from the black-and-white drawings of So, Wu enlivens her works by using soft and subtle neon colours. Guided by fictional female characters, audiences can explore the territory's streets and alleys, including the Peak, the Blue House cluster, Central-Mid-Levels escalator, Piu Sik (or floating colours) Parade at Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, Chung Wui Mansion, and Hill Road flyover, through her illustrations. Melding with a touch of dreamy elements, she reinterprets the Hong Kong cityscapes with imaginations. This not only adds vibrancy to her works, but also showcases her unique artistic vision of the city.
Exhibition Details
Paris, France
Date & Time: 2024.01.31 - 02.26 10:00am – 8:00pm
Free admission
Participating artist: Pen SO
Antwerp, Belgium
Venue: Bibliotheek Permeke, De Coninckplein 25-26, B - 2060 Antwerpen, Belgium
Date & Time: 2024.02.08 – 09 (10:00 – 19:00 ) ; 2024.02.10 – 11 (10:00 – 16:00)
Free admission
Participating artist: Pen SO
Brussels, Belgium
Venue: Art & History Museum (Brussels, Belgium)
Date: 2024.02.20
Private event, by invitation
Participating artist: Pen SO
Lisbon, Portugal
Venue: Museum of the Orient (Lisbon, Portugal)
Date: 2024.02.22
Private event, by invitation
Participating artists: Pen SO, Yandy WU
Participating Artists
Pen SO
FB: pensocase
IG: @penso
Pen So is an illustrator and a comics artist from Hong Kong.
In 2013, he attended the Comics Master Class presented by Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) and started his creation in comics since then.
He took part in the Angoulême International Comics Festival twice following Hong Kong Arts Centre in 2017 and 2023. In 2021, he published See You In Memories, winning the silver award at the Japan International MANGA Award. His recent comic and illustrations books are widely acclaimed, such as Hong Kong Havoc, Kowloon Walled City Graphic Novel, Trap, and After Havoc, and some of which also received publishing awards. His works were exhibited in Belgium (Huberty & Breyne Gallery), Germany (Urban Spree Gallery), and Japan (Gallery IYN).
Yandy WU
IG: @wwf_yandy
As an illustrator having grown up in Hong Kong, Yandy captures the contrasting facades in Hong Kong through her illustrations, forming a mix of imaginary scenarios with a sense of realism.
From the glistening pattern of modern skyscrapers, to the colourful spectrum of the old Tong Lau buildings, the intensive detail and colours of Hong Kong never fade in her works.
Organiser
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels is the official representation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to the European Union and 15 European countries, including Belgium, France and Portugal. It promotes Hong Kong on different fronts in Europe, not only for businesses, but also through cultural exchanges, to enhance Hong Kong-Europe exchanges and understanding on Hong Kong among the European community.
Official website: www.hongkong-eu.org
Curator
Hong Kong Arts Centre
Art for Passion, Art for Life, Art for All
Since 1977, the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) has been a platform for nurturing and supporting artists, and infusing art into everyday life. Its unique arts and educational programmes aim to make the arts accessible for all. The HKAC believes in the transformational power of art for people from all walks of life. Established more than four decades ago, the HKAC bring art to the people of Hong Kong – by presenting programmes for visual arts, performing arts, moving images and media arts, comics and animation. Other areas also cover arts education, conferences, festivals, public art and community projects, all done with the vision and mission of engaging and inspiring creativity in the Hong Kong community.
In 2000, HKAC founded its educational arm, Hong Kong Art School (HKAS). The HKAS provides award-bearing programmes to nurture artists and art practitioners, as well as short enrichment courses for the general public. The HKAC aspires to engage everyone in the comm unity to become an active participant in the arts – as an enthusiast, an artist or a patron.
Let’s continue to embrace ‘Art for Passion, Art for Life, Art for All’, and share the inspiration.
Official website: hkac.org.hk | Facebook: HongKongArtsCentre | Instagram: @hongkongartscentre
Comix Home Base
Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) believes that comics and animation are important local pop culture and artistic creations. HKAC has been dedicated to planning and organising diverse and unique activities to promote the arts and culture of comics and animation to the local community and abroad.
Since 2006, HKAC curated Comix Home Base project (CHB) and hosted over 700 ani-com-related events, such as exhibitions, talks, workshops, performances, publications, screenings, public arts, etc. Outside Hong Kong, the footprints of Hong Kong comics can be found in France, Belgium, Britain, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Japan, Singapore, Mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, etc. Through the uniquely planned programmes, several Hong Kong comics artists have got chances to initiate international collaborations in publishing their comics in foreign languages in Europe and US. These all have made an impact on the international comics scene and helped to raise the profile of Hong Kong comics internationally.
HKAC (CHB) continues to proactively look for opportunities to promote Hong Kong's diverse comics and animation arts, with the aim of increasing international recognition and awareness of Hong Kong’s comics artists and their unique works.
Official website: www.comixhomebase.com.hk | Facebook: hkacchb | Instagram: @comixhomebase
Enquiry:
2582 0200 | chb@hkac.org.hk
