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Anji Connell

What brought you to Hong Kong? "I wanted to discover my roots. I was also restless; I didn't know what I wanted to do [with my life]. I planned to come here for four months with my boyfriend and we've been here for two years now. I'm so happy because it has allowed me to make a living from art. It's like a dream come true."
Did your parents encourage your artistic side? "They bought me A4 block paper and I remember treating it like treasure. I started creating posters for the TV shows I loved the most. I don't remember anyone pushing me to pursue art. I would just see art all around me in comics, TV shows and especially on the internet. It drove me to want to be as good as them."
When did you know you could draw? "When I was 20, I studied graphic design for a week and, as part of this, we did life drawing. I was surprised that the other people seemed to have trouble with this, yet it was natural for me. I thought every-one could draw."

How did you make the transition from working in advertising to being a muralist? "I started painting on the street and through this I was invited to participate in a group exhibition. It was here that [Sheung Wan gallery] Above Second saw my work and offered me my first solo show, 'Drowning in Dreams'. The commission for the mural in [Hollywood Road Thai restaurant] Chachawan came along at the same time."
How would you describe your style? "I'd say it's elegant; some works are detailed, others abstract, linear and geometric, or a mix. I have quite a few styles. I like to be led by the material I'm using. If it's paint, I like to experiment with it, to see what the texture of the paint is like, to see what I can do with both the paint and a brush. Sketch work is finer; spray painting is very different."

Where can we see your work? "As well as at Chachawan, I've done murals for the Bellbrook, Fatty Crab, La Cabane and Bibo restaurants. The Bibo commission [a painting on the stairs] was a dream. I was so honoured to be part of it, along with the incredible artists involved in the project. My latest project is in the new Hong Kong Facebook office [in One Island East]."
What are the main differences between being a street mural artist and working on interior commissions? "If I'm working within an interior space, I think about the atmosphere I want to create and design something specific for it. The clients also play a part. Whereas, on the street, it's only me and it's of the moment. Out on the street, I have to assume I don't have a lot of time. It's rougher and quicker."
Anji Connell
Caratoes can be contacted at carato.carato@gmail.com.


Muralist Cara To leaves her distinctive mark all over Hong Kong

Art by the muralist on the doors of a cabinet in a Pok Fu Lam home. 

To's work at Facebook's Hong Kong office. Photos: Summer Lai, Cara To, John Butlin

Cara To

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Interiors & Living

Born in Belgium to Hong Kong parents, the artist, who also goes by the name Caratoes, has been commissioned to decorate bars, restaurants and homes in the city for a couple of years


Born in Belgium to Hong Kong parents, the artist, who also goes by the name Caratoes, has been commissioned to decorate bars, restaurants and homes in the city for a couple of years.
