Mexican’s mural atop Hong Kong Island’s highest mountain draws attention to ‘cocaine of the sea’
Artist depicts two critically endangered species that have been fished to the point of extinction due to demand from southern China
Recently unveiled next to the Peak Tram station near the summit of Hong Kong Island’s highest mountain, a large mural piques the curiosity of the city’s professionals, bystanders and tourists who walk by.
The striking six-metre-high work shows two fish swimming beside each other against a vibrant orange background. They represent two critically endangered species native to Mexico that have been fished to the point of extinction due to demand from southern China.
Jaime Ruíz, the artist responsible for the mural at Victoria Peak, was invited by leading Mexican art museum Museo Tamayo as well as his country’s consulate in Hong Kong. The aim was to help raise awareness of the wildlife’s plight during the city’s Art Week last month.
Ruíz, 32, was born and raised in Oaxaca state, on Mexico’s southern coast. The area is famous for its rich indigenous cultures that suffered heavily under 16th century Spanish colonisation.
“Oaxaca has been an important place even after the Spanish conquest,” he says. “We are lucky because many artists from there have created art institutions like libraries, museums and educational programmes, so I grew up surrounded by art.”