Hong Kong's Phoebe Man talks about her edible art

Phoebe Man Ching-ying likes to ignite the senses with her art - taste included. The conceptual artist, curator and teacher - "I also like to refer to myself as a communicator" - can add edible sculptures to her list of multimedia talents. "I believe everything can be art," says the Hong Kong-born artist.

Guests had a taste of Man's work at the opening of the "ICA Off-Site: Hong Kongese" exhibition last month at Duddell's in Central. Curated by Gregor Muir, executive director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, Alia al-Senussi and Abdullah al-Turki, it is the first time that the London-based organisation, known for its support of radical art, has staged an exhibition in the city.

An impressive crowd gathered at the art-cum-restaurant space, and as the launch wound up, Man happily handed out pieces of her "art", saying: "You can eat it or smash it if you like." And while a video by Thai artist Korakrit Arunanondchai, also part of the show, played in the background, it was the marshmallow- and Smartie-covered chocolate cakes that kept the crowd most happy, the slices providing a perfect partner for the morning champagne and wine. It was the start of Art Basel after all.

But for anyone pro-Beijing, Man's sweet creations might have left a sour taste. On each of the four cakes was written, in icing, a political message that would make Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's blood pressure rise dangerously high. "Hong Kong is China's direct-controlled municipality," read one. "The Sino-British Joint Declaration is void," said another. And: "1,200 people represent us to nominate chief executive candidates."

Man's decision to use cakes was not a random one. During the Occupy Central protests last year, demonstrators would often sing Happy Birthday to You to drown out any opposition. With this in mind, Man adopted the birthday cake theme and even handed out pieces to demonstrators, photographing them as they tucked in.

"The birthday song comes with birthday cake. When the protesters during the umbrella movement faced unreasonable complaints and insults from some people, they would sing the birthday song in return, hoping to resolve grievances and turn the angry scenes into a blessing," says Man, a co-founder of the Para/Site Art Space in Quarry Bay. "Instead of celebratory phrases, my works - called 'birthday cakes' - are statements that instead cause controversy. For example, 'The Sino-British Joint Declaration is void' and 'Hong Kong is China's direct-controlled municipality'. Are these a blessing or a curse? Delicious or hard to eat?"

It's Man's strong political messages that make her cake art a perfect fit for "Hong Kongese", which runs until June 22. The exhibition looks at the evolving nature of Hong Kong, using a variety of media ranging from photography to painting and sculpture.