Still life / Cheung Wai Lok
Created from 2012 to 2015, the artworks in this exhibition depict and centre around my observations and feelings of Hong Kong, especially in terms of documenting and responding to feelings about space in the city. Now that I examine the three series of works put together, it dawns on me that my life has already been unconsciously documented in them.
The works on display are related to the walls in the city. Tree Shadows on the Gridlines(2012-2013) is about man-made nature, with shadows of trees being cast on cold, nonchalant walls, which resemble blueprints of a city; Constructed Trees(2014) is an observation of the relationship between city development and nature. Using the real and illusion created in black and white photography, the work points out the self-deception in narratives about the relationship between development and nature. The last series of worksHole (2015), which consists of photographs taken recently, is an allegory of eventually opening up an avenue in a city that has lots of pent-up emotions.
I have different thoughts and feelings looking back on these works today. I realize Tree Shadows on the Gridlineswas created at the time when I suffered from anxiety disorder, which was mainly a result of claustrophobia — a fear of being confined in a place that I don’t think I can get away from. Constructed Trees represents the stage in which I was calm and at peace with no more fluctuations in my emotions. And Holesreveals the stage where I hope to look for a change, an exit — and it seems the one shown in the work is opened up for myself.
In addition to the photographs, I also attempt to employ various methods to express my reflections and thoughts from revisiting the works in this exhibition.
About Cheung Wai Lok
Born in Hong Kong in 1986, Cheung holds a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) degree co-presented by RMIT and Hong Kong Arts School in 2010, majoring in Photography. Engaging photography as his main medium, he works to express his concerns with the Hong Kong city and the people living in as well as to further explore the nature and the possibilities of photography. He also teaches Photography part-time. Currently living and working in Hong Kong.
Opening Reception
4.12.2015 Fri 6 – 8 pm
Exhibition Period
4.12.2015 – 17.1.2016
Artist’s Talk
12.12.2015 Sat 4 – 5.30 pm
Workshop “Urban Fantasy: In Search of the City Surreal”
Time: 12.12.2015 Sat 6﹣9 pm
Place: Sham Shui Po
Quota: 10
Registration: 2777 8766 ｜ jack@lumenvisum.org
Free of Charge
Talk and Workshop to be conducted in Cantonese. Please contact us in advance if you have any special language needs.
Lumenvisum | L2-10, JCCAC, No. 30 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Opening Hours | Tuesdays to Sundays 11 am – 1 pm; 2 – 6 pm; Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays
Docent-guided visits available for groups. Please contact us for details.