Art hidden in old factories

(Photo by Benita Zhang)

In Hong Kong’s south side district, blocks of dilapidated old factory buildings lie vacant.

But recently, art is bringing back their vitality.Yesterday more than 20 galleries and artist studios in Wong Chuk Hang and Tin Wan were opened to the public for South Island Art Day. Offering a range of exhibitions, dances and sound performances, the event is held twice annually.

(Photo by Benita Zhang)

All of those galleries and artist studios are the members of South Island Cultural District, an organization that created in May 2013 for the purpose of letting more people know the district. “We’ve got more visitors,” Cecilia Tong, one of ROSSI & ROSSI’s gallery assistants said. “About 300 to 400 people came to our place today, while there were only 200 last time.”

(Photo by Benita Zhang)

Visitors to the Art Day came from all walks of life, but mostly are young people. Some of them are students in university, some of them are working in the arts and some are just amateur art lovers. “They are in high quality, I learned a lot from them,” Anafelle Liu, a professional designer said, who came together with her colleague Dio Lau.

(Photo by Benita Zhang)

The art show not only attracts people who are taking art related jobs, but also those who know little about art. “I think it is amazing,” Sunny Yu said, who is working as a civil servant. He just went out of Infinity Gallery, in which Martha Collard told them how to use Gong as a therapy method, helping to keep fit. “It is some new information for me, maybe I’ll come again,” he added.

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