Shy artists bring in business manager with aim of commercial success

What's the difference between an artist and a commercial artist? One relies on patrons, the other has clients.

Eight locals have banded together in the hope of transforming themselves from starving artists into successful illustrators by hatching the city's first illustration agency, the Hatch Collective. Its members threw a party and exhibition of their work on Thursday at Sheung Wan's Art Finger Gallery. Helping the eight with the business side is manager Krisdean Law Ka-wai.

'Hatch is backed by a London-based branding agency, Start Creative, and like our name, Hatch is a shelter that helps nurture new local design talents, and we help them deal with the clients so the artists can focus on creating their works,' Law (pictured) said. 'The reason, I think, why it took Hong Kong so long to have its first physical illustration agency is because many of these talents are hidden and not recognised. It's my job to find these people and help them to shine.'

Previously a graphic designer, Law believes she understands the struggles of artistic people in a business world. Even some of the artists admitted they were introverted geeks who are better off behind a computer than talking to clients.

'Like a singer's agent who knows better what is a hit, now we don't have to go out there and try to sell ourselves. Having a professional like Krisdean is ideal,' artist Benny Luk Kwok-yin said.