New Hong Kong communal arts premises Koon Man Space celebrates its village’s people and nature in opening photo exhibitions
- Koon Man Space is a former school turned communal arts space in Chuen Lung village, in Hong Kong’s New Territories, that focuses on contemporary photography
- To mark its opening, two exhibitions by Hong Kong artists Ki Wong and Pak Chai shine light on the ecology, culture and history of Chuen Lung village
Chuen Lung village in Hong Kong’s New Territories has a rich Hakka history stretching back 600 years. It is also nature-rich; squawking crows compete with a chorus of cicadas, while the lush terraced fields, interrupted by rocky streams, flourish in the shadow of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak, making the area a popular spot for hikers.
Foodies are lured by restaurants serving dishes made with the area’s famed organically farmed watercress.
Creativity is also flourishing with the opening this month of Koon Man Space, a former school that has been transformed into a communal arts space, with a focus on contemporary photography.
The 60-year-old building is now a serene space where artists and researchers from diverse disciplines can engage in field studies that dig deep into the local ecology, culture and history.
To mark its opening, two exhibitions by Hong Kong artists Ki Wong and Pak Chai are on show until August 4. Both completed a two-year residency in the village, their works exploring stories of Chuen Lung residents.
Wong’s exhibition, “The Rock and the Gaze”, reinterprets historical photos shared by villagers, with a strong focus on the role of women.