Artists with learning disabilities to be celebrated at Hong Kong conference and carnival

Some of the most affecting art and music is made by those who are able to see the world in a different way. Next week, How Far Can We Go?: the International Conference on Art Development for People with Intellectual Disabilities cum Carnival will celebrate the artistic achievements and potential of those with learning difficulties, with 20 speakers from around the world gathering in Hong Kong for a three-day programme of discussions, seminars, work­shops and perform­ances exploring ways to promote the talents of those with different abilities.

Among the speakers will be Japanese experimental composer and com­munity music instructor Makoto Nomura; Dr Olivia Raynor, an expert in psychiatry and biobehavioural sciences and advocate for people with disabilities in the US; Simon Chow Tak-hung, who campaigns for better disabled access in Hong Kong; and Richard Phoenix, a British musician working with the London-based learning disability arts organisation Heart N Soul.

Performing at a carnival, to be held on the third day of the conference, will be Electric Fire, a four-piece electronica act founded at Heart N Soul, who have collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra. Phoenix, who acts as the band’s mentor, says his talk will centre on the band and “how they developed as musicians, how technology has supported their music and how we collectively deal with challenges.

“I will talk about how people with learning disabilities can have more choice, be more connected, have more confidence and work towards more independent lives.”

Organised by i-dArt, the conference-cum-carnival will be held at the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building (21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point) on Thursday and Friday, and at Vessel (90 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong) on Saturday.

For more information, visit i-dart.tungwahcsd.org