Sand Artist Chris Shum

HK Magazine: How did you get into sand sculpture?
Chris Shum: It started during my Primary Six graduation trip to Cheung Chau. I was feeling sentimental about the future and went on a walk alone along the beach. I built many life-size sculptures of human legs near the sea. My friends saw them from our tents and thought they were real legs. I realized then that sand can make people really happy and I began experimenting with the art.

HK: How did you go pro?
CS: I began participating in competitions in secondary school, and once I started realizing what sand could do, I couldn’t stop. When I told my family I was representing Hong Kong in an international competition, they were shocked. I felt so proud. But I didn’t call myself a professional until I went to Japan to learn. After that, three of us founded the Hong Kong International Sand Sculpture Art Association and I published a manual on sculpting sand. I mostly teach classes now, outside of my full-time job.

HK: What difficulties are there?
CS: The most grueling part is standing under the sun for hours. I once stood on the beach from 7am to 4pm to work on a sculpture. Never underestimate how heavy sand can be: it takes a lot of strength to move it. Making the sculpture stand is also tricky. Once, our team was about to finish a sand lion, when the mouth broke and collapsed. We made it look as if it was intentional, and the judges didn’t notice! The real trick, however, is to create a sand sculpture with meaning. I used to have a lot of trouble with this, but now I have plenty [of subjects]: from the environment and social issues to politics.

HK: How often do you practice?
CS: This summer, I went to the beach once every two days. When I finish work, I go to the beach to practice a little bit. You really need to feel the sand to get inspired. When I’m feeling down, I go to the beach as well. The beach always makes me feel better. My family wasn’t too happy about this, so I got them into sand art as well. Last time we went together, I built a mermaid’s tail for my wife.

HK: What is the sand sculpture scene in Hong Kong like?
CS: In Hong Kong, our group seems to be the only one promoting sand art. I once reached out to shopping malls in Hong Kong, offering to organize an exhibition free of charge. All of them were worried that it was going to be unhygienic and that the sand would go everywhere.

HK: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from sand art?
CS: I love sand art because it’s environmentally friendly and you really feel connected with nature. Your art comes from nature and will eventually return to nature. I never feel sad about the impermanence of my sculptures. The most beautiful moment is when I see the waves hitting my sculpture, gradually dissolving it. Nothing is forever. Nature is always the most powerful.