A painting by Gigi Mok that features in the new book Daisy Fairy and the Bear: From the Beach to Wondeer. Photo: Hong Kong Arts Centre / Gigi Mok Wai-chee
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https://scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/arts-music/article/3113397/nothing-could-stop-these-hong-kong-artists Arts & Music
Nothing could stop these Hong Kong artists from creating – not even poor health or vision
- An exhibition to accompany the release of book Daisy Fairy and the Bear: From the Beach to Wondeer features 30 works by six artists
- Among them, 87-year-old Gigi Mok proves it is never too late to realise your dreams
The “Daisy Fairy and the Bear: From the Beach to Wondeer Exhibition” at the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Photo: Hong Kong Arts Centre
Fans of illustration book Daisy Fairy and the Bear (2019) rejoice! The sequel, Daisy Fairy and the Bear: From the Beach to Wondeer, is out and it is accompanied by Christmas box sets and an art exhibition at the Hong Kong Arts Centre that brings the heroes’ adventures to life.
Written by Hong Kong author Michelle Ling Allcock, the books are available in both English and Chinese, and filled with lively illustrations by community artists. In the latest volume, the stories behind the six artists from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals’ i-dArt programme are no less inspiring than the fairy tale about human beings, animals and nature coexisting in harmony.
Take, for instance, Gigi Mok Wai-chee. As a child, she wanted to become an artist like her older sister but the family was caught up in World War II, and survival took precedence. The 87-year-old has proven that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. She may have poor vision and frail health, but the care-home resident has managed to acquire painting and calligraphy skills by enrolling in i-dArt’s three-year art course. Her illustrations of Daisy Fairy and the Bear are among the 30 works on show at the Arts Centre.
The group of artists aged between their 20s and 80s all live with some kind of impairment and are united in discovering the joy of painting.
As for the story itself, Connie Lam Suk-yee, executive director of the Arts Centre, is giving little away but, she says, the question at the end of the book is whether human beings are deemed worthy to share in the beauty of the natural world, which is symbolised by fireflies.
The box sets are priced from HK$300 to HK$500 and include the two books and accessories designed by i-dArt artists, such as Mak Wai-hung’s denim apron and a roll of artist tape designed by Lee Oi-yee. All proceeds will be shared between the Arts Centre and the hospital charity.
“Daisy Fairy and the Bear: From the Beach to Wondeer Exhibition” is on at Experimental Gallery, 3/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, until December 30. The books and box sets are available at the HKAC Art Shop.