Art for art's sake
For artists, the act of living is like the creation of art - a work in progress.
'I don't know what my profession is. I spend a large part of my time painting, but I don't see it as a career. I see it as an attitude towards life, one where there's no such thing as retirement,' said painter
Wong Yan-kwai, one of Hong Kong's leading contemporary artists.
Painting is serious work, a means to 'self-completion', according to Wong, 52, an award-winning art director of movies, a writer and musician.
But all work and no play makes for a dull artist. So, for relaxation, Wong draws comics.
'Drawing comics cannot give me the feeling that I get from painting. It is a medium for me to make a joke and relax,' said Wong, also known as 5M6 or Ah Kwai.
Wong's comics first appeared in the late 1970s in various titles, such as Chinese Students Bi-weekly, The HK Youth Avant-Garde Bi-weekly, The Thumb, City Magazine, SAR Comix Magazine, Hong Kong Economic Journal and A45 Monthly.
He said the key to mastering comics drawing is not the technique, but the way you look at the world. You must have a fresh, spontaneous and humorous take on life.
Every day may be the same, but the details are always different, he said.
Wong believes the ability to seek out interesting details and express them in a funny and creative manner is a skill that can be nurtured and developed.
'I see inspiration as something like putting money in a piggy bank,' said Wong.
'When the coins accumulate to a certain point and flow out, that's when we say we are inspired.'
But is there a danger of information overflow?
Wong uses the metaphor of fitting large rocks, stones, sand and water into a bottle to illustrate the creative process. 'If you first put in the small stones, there will be no space left for the big rocks,' he said.
The key is to first put in the big rocks - the most important things - as the foundation and then the small stones, then the sand and water will naturally find their place, he said.
He also said there are an unlimited number subjects for comics. Anything - from music to literature - can be a source of inspiration.
'If Debussy can turn [his feelings about] sunrise into music, why can't we transform our feelings about a certain piece of music into comics?' said Wong.
His comics, marked by their humour, always have meaning.
'The subject of comics can be very serious, just like the films of Charlie Chaplin ... but I think they will leave the readers with a stronger impression if they are told in a happy and funny manner,' he explained.
While drawing comics may seem a dream career for many young people, Wong advises them not to be too career-minded when it comes to artistic creation.
'If you see artistic creation as your career, you will become very depressed if it doesn't work out that way. It's like losing a very enjoyable toy,' said Wong.
'Don't care too much about money and fame. Just keep drawing if you like comics - even if no one pays you.'
