LGBTQ rights and inclusivity focus added to Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize 2022
- Usually centred on the theme of refugee and migrant rights, this year’s competition, titled ‘Colours of Humanity’, also explores the topic of LGBTQI+ issues
- Members of marginalised and minority communities are encouraged to enter – you do not have to be a professional artist to compete, the organiser stresses
The Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize has always shown how creativity can be a powerful force for social change. And that change, organisers say, is needed more than ever as the city limps through its fifth wave of Covid-19.
“Hong Kong has always been a pressure-cooker environment but the pandemic has exacerbated that,” says Melanie McLaren, director of the Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize 2022.
The prize, which was established in 2013 by Justice Centre Hong Kong, a non-profit that helps refugees and vulnerable migrants, usually centres on the theme of refugee and migrant rights, but this year’s competition – titled “Colours of Humanity” – also explores the topic of LGBTQI+ rights and inclusivity.
The title aims to highlight diverse experiences in the community, McLaren says, and the organisers are hoping that there will be more artworks and submissions coming from different sectors of Hong Kong this year.
“We’re shifting the focus to ‘colours of humanity’, to promote a hopeful future – and we’re hoping the prize itself will be a healing experience,” she says. Entries are open until May 15.
McLaren encourages those from marginalised and minority communities to enter, and stresses that you do not have to be a professional artist to compete.