Industrial art
A group of artists are transforming the industrial buildings of Fo Tan into a hive of colour and creativity.
Due to the lower rents, many young local artists are choosing to set up their studios in industrial buildings that are usually big enough for large works of art as well as leaving them with a corner for a television and a bed.
Last year, artists from 14 studios in the Fo Tan Industrial Centre held an Open Day inviting the public to visit their workplaces.
The event attracted around 600 visitors - a figure which well exceeded any of the artists' expectations. A large number of visitors were students and teachers.
This year, the artists have decided to expand the programme. More than 70 artists will be involved this time and 20 studios will be open to the public. A shuttle bus will operate between the studios which are located in different buildings.
Amabel Liu Wun-ling, 22, set up Paradox studio, which she shares with another artist, about 18 months ago. This is the first time she is joining the Open Day.
'I feel very excited about sharing my drawings with other people. It's like holding a small exhibition,' she said. 'It is empowering for young artists to work together.'
After earning an art degree in the United States, Liu came back to Hong Kong about two years ago and began her life as an artist. Besides painting, she sometimes sings in a jazz band to earn extra income.
'Although many people call Hong Kong a cultural desert, I think that Hong Kong is full of opportunities,' she said. 'It is a very free city. If you have the courage to try new things, you will find a door that's open.
'Many young people in Hong Kong are dedicated to art and culture, but, unfortunately, not enough is written about them by the press so people are unaware of the real picture.'
But Dion Choy Man-kin, 30, from the studio Scenolab, thinks the cultural atmosphere in Hong Kong is not mature enough.
'Many parents would feel uneasy if their children said they wanted to be an artist,' she said. 'I am one of the very few lucky ones who can live on drawings.'
Choy sometimes draws
murals and stage backgrounds for commercial films and TV advertisements. She once helped set up a stage in a Jacky Chan movie and created a graffiti artwork for his office.
Choy hopes the Open Day will let more people know about the life of local artists. 'I will talk about my pictures and demonstrate drawing skills to the visitors,' she said. 'I will also invite them to take part in creating some interesting artworks. I hope they have fun here.'
