Li Chi-tak, Hong Kong’s indie comics godfather, gets solo show at international festival

Li Chi-tak, dubbed the “Godfather of Hong Kong independent comics”, became the first local comic artist to hold a solo exhibition at the prestigious Angoulême International Comics Festival in France last weekend.

Entitled “Li Chi-tak, Hong Kong Wizard”, the retrospective showcased 80 of the artist’s works from the past 30 years, some exhibited for the first time. Also on show were meticulously drawn, lurid images in full colour from his new book The Beast, a collaboration with Belgian author Jean Dufaux that was launched at the festival after a 10-year gestation.

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Exhibition co-curator Connie Lam says it was an honour for Li to be selected to show his work, and it was also important for the Hong Kong comic industry as a whole in raising the profile of its artists.

“Many people think the comics scene in Hong Kong has been having a hard time,” says Lam, who’s also executive director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, “so this is particularly encouraging for up-and-coming artists.”

One of Hong Kong’s most prolific comic book artists, Li is known for the wide diversity in his work – he’s explored fantasy, history, action, politics and comedy – as well as his ability to employ different styles.

Lam says the exhibits on display at the festival were specifically chosen to showcase this variety, which, she maintains, set him apart from other artists.