Gary Mok: obsessed with the force

Represented by the likes of Schoeni Gallery, it took Hong Kong born Gary Mok Wai-hong several attempts to get into his school of choice. The successful painter was not perturbed by the challenges of applying to the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

If anything, Mok’s mentors sparked his determination. “I was advised to stay in China to study painting – or be a photographer in Hong Kong. I wanted to paint people well, to learn a good technique and style. I think you can only learn this way in China or Russia now,” he explains. Taking three years to get into the Central Academy, Mok was older than his 15 classmates, but for one who applied repeatedly for nine years.

Before moving to Beijing in 2001, Mok would have described himself as a typical Hong Konger. “I would protest on dates like June 4th and July 1st – and when I’m in Hong Kong I try to attend such events,” he says. Inspired by political events, Mok is currently working on a series of realistic looking paintings about the police and protests. The series includes a number of works depicting Hong Kong, which means that Mok, who is still based in Beijing, currently returns five or six times a year.

“At times I’ve been interested in the media’s role, now I’m more concerned with the development of society. I see so many ‘Chinese dream’ slogans in Beijing,” he says, noting that the ‘Chinese dream’ has no similarities with the ‘American dream’. As a result, Mok’s most recent efforts have been to depict the spirit of Hong Kong.

198412191755 (120x180cm arcylic on linen 2012)

Hillside Garden & Underground Palace (320x640cm-acrylic on linen-2012)