Here is the second article on the HKWALLS street art festival held in May 2018. Part 1 (artjouer.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/hkwalls-2018-part-1-street-art-central-and-sai-ying-pun/) focused on the artworks in Central and Sai Yung Pun districts on Hong Kong Island; this article features those in Sheung Wan (which is located between the aforementioned districts).
The event was organized by HKWALLS (hkwalls.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of street art and culture in the community.
13. Artist: Jecks and Nong Pop (Thailand)
A pair of Thai artist’s created these complementary pieces, which share a street corner and a pink color scheme. In Nong Pop’s portrait, a young girl turns to stare at the viewer, the tiger just below her left shoulder reflecting her fierce interior
In Jeck’s work, a cherubic figure with quiver of arrows on his back appears to be targeted by arrows. Though he lacks wings, he looks like he might be cupid, the Roman god of desire, erotic love and attraction. The crossed fingers behind his back suggest that he has been insincere in his matchmaking (which might explain the arrows being shot at him).
Info:
Location: 2A Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan (BOOM ASIA)
Nong Pop’s website: nongpop55.wordpress.com
Jecks’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/jecks_bkk
14. Artist: Barlo (Italy)
Barlo is an Italian artist based in Hong Kong. His paintings and street art tend to have a mythical and mysterious feel. In this striking artwork, entitled The Pet of the Archaeologist, it is not clear whether the creature depicted is a living animal, a porcelain figure or a biology specimen that has been cut into cross-sections.
Info:
Location: Alley behind 18 Upper Station St.
Barlo’s website: hmrbarlo.com
15. Artist: WEST one & Megic (China)
This collaborative effort by Chinese artists WEST one and Megic is captivating, but it is difficult to photograph (as it is a long artwork in a narrow alley). I love the way three different styles are used: the head of the dragon is painted in a realistic style (by Megic), while it’s body combines a classic Chinese ink landscape style with a futuristic, geometric street art style (by WEST one). The resulting piece could be a comment on Chinese culture—modern and moving forward but with strong roots in tradition.
Info:
Location:Alley behind Sai Street (back of A Side B Side)
WEST one’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/west.one.fs
Megic’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/megic4ever
16. Artist: Zlism (aka Zoie Lam, HK)
One can’t help but feel more cheerful after passing by this lively brightly-colored mural of friendly, weirdly-shaped characters. This piece was painted by Zoie Lam, whose initials provide the ‘zl’ in Zlism
Info:
Location: Rich View Terrace (side wall)
ZLISM’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/zlism
Interview with Zlism: thehoneycombers.com/hong-kong/zlism-interview-zoie-lam-art-illustration-fashion-design/
17. Artist: Neil Wang (HK)
The simple color scheme, floral decorations, clean lines and glamorous subject in this elegant and eye-catching portrait by freelance illustrator Neil Wang bring to mind Art Deco posters of the 1920s.
Info:
Location: 21 Square Street
Neil Wang’s website: www.neillhw.com
18. Artist: Riya Chandiramani (HK)
Riya Chandiramani’s artwork draws on Indian and Chinese visual motifs. The designs also include words which comment on psychology and society. For example, in the photo below, the design element starting at the bottom left contains the words ‘power’ and’status’ and in the next photo, the sun below the goldfish contains the word ‘peace’.
Info:
Location: 22-24 Tai Ping Shan St., Sheung Wan (CRAFTISSIMO)
Riya Chandiramani’s Website: www.riyachandiramani.com
19. Artists: Carol Mui & Rebecca T Lin (HK)
This artwork by a duo of muralists and graphic designers known as Creative Hustlers depicts the skyline of Hong Kong’s Central District as seen from the Mid-levels. The painting captures an interesting side of Hong Kong. Though the urban areas are densely populated concrete jungles, nature is never far away.
Info:
Location: Universal Building, 5-13 New St, Tai Ping Shan
Carol Mui’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolmuiii
Rebecca T Lin’s Website: www.rebeccatlin.com
20. Artists: Finu & Yunus (France/HK)
This is a collaboration between Finu, who is known for her black and white illustrations of creatures—in this case a stylized dragon with a blank, expressionless face reminiscent of No Face in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away —and Yunus, who works with multimedia (often combining music, video, animation and live performance). In the following video from Yunus, you can see how the two elements—street art and multimedia—were combined:
Info:
Location: 4 Wa Lane (Mahka & La Cantoche)
Finu’s website: www.finu.me
Yunus’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/HugoYunus
21. Artists: Remi Rough & Xenz (UK)
In this mural, the large-scale abstract geometrical designs of Remi Rough and the more intimate nature illustrations of Xenz complement each other well.
Info:
Location: Alley behind 43 Sai St., Sheung Wan
Remi Rough’s website: remirough.com
Xenz’s website: www.xenz.org
22. Artist: KS (HK)
For this mural on the walls of a café, local artist KS has created a food-themed portrait that is similar in style to the paintings in his Random is Beautiful series of portraits.
Info:
Location: 16 Upper Station Street (3rd Space)
KS’s website: the-ideo.org/ks
23. Artist: Bisco Smith (US)
American artist Bisco Smith’s white brushstrokes on a black background are a kind of visual representation of freestyle rap lyrics. Before beginning a painting, he chooses an instrumental beat and then improvises brushstrokes to go along with it.
Info:
Location: Alley behind Sai Street
Bisco Smith’s website: biscosmith.com
24. Artist: DILK (UK)
Across the alley from Bisco Smith’s artwork is this colorful abstract piece by British artist DILK.
Info:
Location: Back of 18 Upper Station Street (Parfumerie Tresor & 3rd Space)
DILK’s: www.dilk1.com
Three Works from HKWALLS 2015
Street art doesn’t last for too long, so a lot of the pieces painted the last time HKWALLS was held in the district of Sheung Wan have disappeared. Here are a few of the works that are still around.
Artist: XEVA (South Korea)
This is a great mural of a local icon.
Info:
XEVA’s website: www.xevasb.com
Artist: Hopare (France)
Hopare is known for his colorful paintings of faces overlaid with bold geometric lines and curves. I have briefly introduced this French artist in my article Color & Identity: Portraits by Hopare, Lita Cabellut, JM Robert, Gian Piero Gasparini, Iqi Qoror & Douglas Coupland
Info:
Hopare’s website: www.hopare.com
Artist: Stern Rockwell
Info:
Stern Rockwell’s website: www.sternrockwell.com
HK WALLS Part 1
HKWALLS 2018 Part: 1. If you haven’t seen the first part of this article already, do drop by and have a look: HKWALLS 2018 Part 1: Street Art (Central and Sai Ying Pun).
Hong Kong Street Art
Hong Kong Street Art is the the first article I wrote about local street art scene. It is on my personal blog and it covers the artwork you can find in different districts—from Hong Kong Island, to Kowloon to the New Territories.
Go Further
This section includes discussion questions, an art challenge and links to online photo galleries and websites.
Online Galleries
Higher resolution images (e.g. 2048 x 1365) can be viewed online at:
- Flickr: HKWALLS 2018
- Google Photos: HKWALLS 2018
Websites
- HKWALLS 2018 Part: 1. If you haven’t seen the first part of this article already, do drop by and have a look: HKWALLS 2018 Part 1: Street Art (Central and Sai Ying Pun)
- HKWALLS website: hkwalls.org
Three Questions
- Which works do you like best? Why do those ones appeal to you?
- What other words and messages can you find in Riya Chandiramani’s mural?
- How can events like HKWALLS benefit the local community?
Art Challenge
Sketch a wall near your home, school or office. Design an artwork that would go on the wall and add it to your sketch.
~photos and text by longzijun
More Street Art Galleries
Return to Artjouer’s Gallery of Artists
artjouer 