On the verge of getting a world-class visual arts museum and famed for being an art auction powerhouse, Hong Kong should better recognise – finally – the amazing talent already in its midst. Edmund Lee gives a shout-out to 22 of our city’s best artists. Photography by Calvin Sit.

What’s the signature of your work?
I think my work evokes a touch of delicacy. From what I hear, however, many people are more concerned about how long it takes for me to produce a work.

How did you come to work in this way?
It was the small details of the world that I used to focus on but, since 2000 onwards, my attention has shifted towards the subtlety in the material, visual and textual aspects.

How many media are you working in?
I mainly work in painting but, in recent years, I’ve begun to incorporate alternative ways to present the paintings.

Describe your work in one sentence.
Words get in the way.

Over the years, what’s been your most memorable experience as an artist?
My family’s visit to my recent show [Elsewhere in 2011] was also the last time all of us saw an exhibition and took a photo together. My father passed away a few months after. I only thought of this because of your question. Of course, the [Osage] Soho gallery is now gone as well.

What do you think about the Hong Kong artists’ common interest in tackling personal subjects?
I’ve heard this comment before. It seems to me that fewer and fewer artists are doing this. If I were to try and explain it, I’d say that many of our artists are delivering their ideas by using the personal perspective as an entry point, while few people are attempting to interpret the works from another wider perspective.

Tell us about your upcoming shows.
I’ve been working on two new works for Osage Gallery – one for ART HK and the other for a group show at Osage Kwun Tong, titled Market Forces (May 16-20). I’ll also be showing a work at Blue House in June.

www.auhoilam.com

Images:
1) Au Hoi-lam
2) Chasing the Moon (acrylic on canvas, 2003)
3) Of This Life (acrylic on linen, 2006)
4) 1978-2011 (pencil and acrylic on linen, 2011)

| Wilson Shieh | Leung Chi-wo | Ho Sin-tung | Wong Wai-yin | Kwan Sheung-chi | Adrian Wong | Magdalen Wong | Kacey Wong | Chow Chun-fai | Joey Leung Ka-yin | Nadim Abbas | Lee Kit | Stephanie Sin | Stanley Wong aka anothermountainman | Simon Birch | Lam Tung-pang | Ivy Ma | Samson Young | Au Hoi-lam | Pak Sheung-chuen | Tang Kwok-hin | Tsang Kin-wah |