Japanese artists to display Hong Kong’s textile heritage at London’s Saatchi Gallery

Pieces of Hong Kong’s textile industry heritage will go on display in London as part of a global art project initiated by a group of top Japanese contemporary artists.

Chim-Pom, an avant-garde “artist collective” from Japan, is in the city to collect memorabilia from the 1950s-built Nan Fung textile factory in Tsuen Wan, before arts and creative cluster The Mills refurbishes the site ahead of a scheduled opening in 2018.

Chim-Pom members Masataka Okada and Motomu Inaoka explained their interest in Hong Kong was sparked by last year’s 79-day Occupy protests, ahead of their debut in the city.

“When we learnt about the Umbrella Movement last year, we wanted to come to Hong Kong, but we missed the chance as we were engaged in other work. But because of the protests, we have a major interest in the city and wanted to have a piece from here,” they said.

“Hong Kong is changing rapidly. Small shops, restaurants and heritage are fading away. We want to bring pieces of Hong Kong and incorporate them in our work, making new meaning and becoming new art pieces elsewhere.”

This marks the first time The Mills Gallery – a 26,000 sq ft art gallery slated for the old factory site – has commissioned an art project for the space.