From Lee Gardens’ centenary murals, HKWALLS’ special edition of the “Tools of the Trade” exhibition to hands-on workshops, guided tours and interactive demonstrations, the Festival invites U.S. artist Spenser Little, Hong Kong sign painter Katol and fine artist Wong Ting-fung to celebrate the community spirit that has made Lee Gardens a cultural home across generations.
To energise the community through street art and culture, while showcasing Lee Gardens’ century-long progression as an art and entertainment hub, Hysan Development Company Limited (“Hysan”) and Lee Gardens Association have jointly launched the “Art Too” Festival. The Festival runs from today to 1 December 2024 (closed on 25 and 26 November) on the G/F, 5 Sharp Street East.
Hysan and Lee Gardens Association have partnered with HKWALLS to present a special edition of the “Tools of the Trade” exhibition. The curated art space features creative works paying tribute to the area’s heritage by U.S. artist Spenser Little, Hong Kong sign painter Katol and fine artist Wong Ting-fung. The Festival commemorates pivotal moments in Lee Gardens through guided art tours, hands-on workshops and live demonstrations. Visitors can move beyond observation to engagement, with the opportunity to learn craft techniques and create their own artwork using authentic tools of the trade.
Mr Ricky Lui, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Hysan Development Company Limited, said, “Art and culture have always been crucial in Hysan’s placemaking vision for Lee Gardens. From the Bei Shan Poets Society at the Lee Garden Amusement Park to the legendary Lee Theatre that made countless dreams come true, our spaces have consistently celebrated creativity. Today, art is seamlessly integrated into our ongoing efforts in area rejuvenation. Through the ‘Art Too’ Festival, we are recreating the spirit of community that began with the gatherings among literati at one of the Taipan houses in the 1920s. Visitors can explore paints, brushes and other tools of the trade by popular artists, participate in craft workshops, and discover our area’s heritage through immersive experiences and live demonstrations.”
This Festival not only pays tribute to our artistic legacy, but also creates new opportunities for creative expression and community engagement. “It is our way of honouring the generations of memorable moments that have shaped Lee Gardens, while inspiring new stories for the future,” Mr Lui added.
An Intimate Look inside Artists’ Studios at “Tools of the Trade” The three artists will unveil new public artworks created around the Lee Gardens Area throughout the festival period. Each art piece is designed to celebrate happiness, dreams, and shared moments that have made Lee Gardens a home for art and culture. Members of the public can sign up for an in-depth tour of the rich history surrounding Lee Gardens and Causeway Bay, led by HKWALLS and enriched by the newest murals and site-specific installations by the artists.
Another key highlight of the festival is the special edition of the “Tools of the Trade” exhibition. This exhibition frames street art through the lens of the tools that artists use to create their works, and features intimate replicas of the artists’ personal studios. The exhibition also showcases a variety of art pieces that demonstrate the creative possibilities these tools can inspire.
Making Art Too Spenser Little, Katol and Wong Ting-fung are also hosting hands-on workshops for the public to try their hand at creating different types of art. Spenser Little’s Wire Art masterclass, using the sky and streets as canvas, guides participants in wire art creation by transforming simple wire through cutting and bending techniques to create their names. The Lettering and Sign Painting masterclass by Katol showcases the art of lettering and brushwork techniques, to create signs on A3 paper. The Deconstructing Text and Visualising Characters masterclass, led by Wong Ting-fung, teaches participants how to cut and rearrange the strokes, lines, and dots into a unique piece of art, highlighting the complexity of Chinese words and the beauty of their composition.
The three artists also plan to share details of their creative process through live demonstrations and interactive dialogues. Through these live demonstrations, they will reveal how art evolves from concept to finished pieces. Audiences will have the opportunity to interact with the artists to learn about the ingenuity and personal inspirations that drive their artistic journeys.
Hysan100 has launched an online campaign titled “This is Art, Too” on its Hysan100’s Facebook and Instagram where users are invited to share their artistic discoveries in Lee Gardens, from unorthodox art tools to unexpected, impromptu artistic scenes and moments, from architectural designs to intricate latte art in cafes, and many more. Participants can share their discoveries with @Hysan100 and the hashtag #thisisarttoo, and become active participants in this artistic journey, with a chance to win Lee Gardens Coupons to explore more of what Lee Gardens offers.
Stepping into the next century, Hysan remains committed to its vision for Causeway Bay and nurturing this legacy of artistic expression and community connection. “Art Too” not just aims to bring to the public a variety of unique experiences and engaging activities, it also aims to encourage them to become a part of the district’s continuing story.
Members of the public can learn more and sign up for free tours and workshops through this link.
