Advertisement
Explain This
The timeless debate over what constitutes street art in Hong Kong and what’s next for the city’s emerging artists
Those who view the city buildings, streets and walls as open canvases rarely see eye to eye with officials – but things weren’t always that way
4-MIN READ4-MIN
A battle over the age-old question “what is art” has raged between officials and those who practise one of the newer mediums – street artists.
On Monday, the renowned French artist Invader, whose works have fetched millions of dollars, lashed out at officials for removing his work on Des Voeux Road two days after it was recently installed, adding to the list of his work that has been erased in the city.
Street art icon Basquiat gets first major UK show at the Barbican: ‘Boom for Real’
Not that long ago the government seemed to be in favour of street art. As part of a 2011 policy address initiative to transform the former industrial hub of Kwun Tong into Hong Kong’s next core business district, the Art Promotion Office was tasked to “beautify” back alleys in the area by inviting artists to paint external walls.
Advertisement
While the scheme was hailed a success, street art elsewhere in the city was often called an act of vandalism and faced removal.
Advertisement
Has street art only recently blossomed in Hong Kong?
Not at all. One famous example is the calligraphy of the late Tsang Tsou-choi, better known as “King of Kowloon”. In his heyday in the 1990s, Tsang’s ink handwriting was found scattered across Hong Kong’s lamp posts, concrete walls, utility boxes and so on.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x