01 CONCEPT
HONG KONG
When I was tasked by UBS to create 2 pieces about Hong Kong’s city life, culture and heritage, in terms of visuals, one may expect pawn shop signs or Hong Kong’s famous dynamic streetscape. However, I see neon as a medium that already is the visual symbol representing Hong Kong.
Are there any other visual symbols that may be related? Many things popped into my mind: Ding-ding, dim sum, egg waffles, boat in the harbour… I slowly realised a lot of these subject matters share a common value:
They attested to time with excellence because of the people who worked hard for decades to keep them alive until today. These people face different challenges every day and managed to overcome them with a smile at the end of the day. And for me, that is the essence of Hong Kong – the spirit of the Lion Rock. That is what made our economy thrive, as an international finance centre.
02 INSPIRATION
我哋大家 在獅子山下相遇上 總算是歡笑多於唏噓
Song lyrics of “獅子山下” (Under the Lion Rock)by 羅文 Rowan Lo
(Together, we meet under the Lion Rock, facing more joy than sorrow.)
我哋大家 用艱辛努力寫下那 不朽香江名句 (Together, through our hardship, we build our immortal “Home Kong”.)
03 DESCRIPTION
In the glow of “Dawn of Lion Rock (獅子山之曙光)” at UBS Art Studio, we find ourselves united under the Lion Rock’s embrace, where joy outweighs sorrow.
As the “Evening Sun on Lion Rock (夕照獅子山)” at UBS One Lounge descends, casting its golden hue upon the land, we are reminded of our collective triumph through hardship.
These 2 pieces depict a day in Hong Kong where people wake up to a new day for new challenges, and how they overcome them by the end of the day with a smile.
04 MEDIUM
NEON
Neon, an artisanal craft requiring meticulous precision at every step, embodies the essence of handcrafted excellence to illuminate the world.
In a reflection reminiscent of neon bending, where the glass is fragile yet strong. We can always repair it by melting it together. It is also malleable under heat where we can shape it the way we want. This is similar to the spirit of Hong Kong, where we shine through all the changes that the Lion Rock has seen.
Through meticulous craftsmanship, each stroke of neon bending intricately etches the tale of our beloved “Home Kong”.
These 2 artworks serve as a testament to Hong Kong’s resilience and determination, echoing the unwavering spirit of the Lion Rock.
05 INTERACTIVITY
MODERN TOUCH
Inspired by the graceful curves of traditional Chinese scrolls and fans, these 2 artworks symbolize our ability to adapt and endure, bridging the past with the present in a luminous display of unity and strength.
In addition, the modern motifs that are reminiscent of antique Chinese art, graced the artworks with refined curves and intricate turns and serve as a metaphor for both neon bending and the Lion Rock spirit. They eloquently symbolize our capacity to adapt and endure, reflecting the indomitable spirit of Hong Kong.
To enhance the fusion of tradition and modernity, the color palette of orange, cobalt blue, and white reimagines classic Blue and White porcelain as contemporary neon pieces pulsating with warmth and energy. The hues dance in electric brilliance, capturing the dynamism of Hong Kong’s identity.
The Neon Girl 