Two prominent international street artists are hitting our city in the same month. Ben Sin talks to both about what they do best

Think of Hong Kong street art, and the works of the late Tsang Tsou-choi, aka the “King of Kowloon”, usually – and rightfully – spring to mind. But take a walk through the city with your eyes peeled and it becomes apparent that street art has become more common and more visible in recent years.

Lurking in Tsim Sha Tsui alleyways, between the shops and the bustling throngs, are several anti-establishment graffiti prints featuring aviator-sporting police officers (from the brand Startfromzero). An infamous “Fuck Da Police” stencil-print adorns an otherwise boring brick wall on To Kwa Wan Road, and in Central’s Pottinger Street you can spot puffy-cheeked doll-like humanoids (courtesy of GraphicAirlines) hiding around gloomy corners.

Somewhere down an alley in Causeway Bay, meanwhile, sits a pretty little flower. It’s the work of prominent New York street artist Michael De Feo, who pasted the print onto the side of a building last summer while on vacation here. “I was worried about Hong Kong police at first,” explains the soft-spoken 38-year-old who’s used the same flower print all over the streets of New York since 1992. “But eventually I said ‘fuck it’, climbed up and pasted the flower.” He managed to evade the police, something he’s gotten pretty good at over the years in New York – although he admits he’s had a few run-ins with NYPD, despite never being arrested.

De Feo is back in Hong Kong this month to open his exhibition, and with hot young Melbourne street artist Meggs also in town for his own (unrelated) show, the local street art scene is going to get a shot to the arm. Both artists expressed excitement about the other’s arrival, and although their styles and backgrounds are completely different, both have one thing in common: they’re still very much young at heart.

According to De Feo, there’s a “child-like optimism” in all of his works, which goes far beyond just flower prints – he also sketches and paints, and his works range from illegal street graffiti to international exhibitions to children’s books. For Meggs, his upcoming exhibition is a showcase of dynamic graffiti-style paintings, which are heavily influenced by pop culture, most noticeably comic books. “I grew up reading Batman comics and the whole duality of superheroes has always intrigued me, it is a big part of my artwork,” says the Melbourne native.

De Feo loves working with children (he teaches art at a school near the Bronx), and is working on his second children’s book. Meggs, on the other hand, lives the kind of life you might expect of a young street artist. He loves skateboarding, metal music, and secret identities (he refuses to reveal his real name and age). Perhaps their mentality is crucial to their work. “I think there’s an element of childishness, or naivety, to all street art,” says De Feo. “The essence of street art is to do something illegal, anti-authority, and breaks the rules. That’s very kid-like.”

While De Feo is somewhat familiar with the local scene (he spent most of last summer exploring the streets and meeting with gallery owners), Meggs is coming here with a blank canvas. “I don’t know much about Hong Kong other than it’s an industrious city with lots happening,” he says. “I look forward to hitting the streets and exploring.” Maybe De Feo can take him on a tour and the two can paint the town red, literally.

Michael De Feo’s exhibition, Mining for Splinters and Diamonds, is at No Borders Art until August 14; Inquiries: 2517 6003.

Megg’s exhibition, King for a Day, is at Above Second Gallery from July 9 until August 4; Inquiries: 3483 7950. Check listings for details.