Advertisement
Art Basel
Special Reports

Celebrating a decade of outdoor expression: how HKwalls transformed Hong Kong’s streets

HKwalls returns to Arts Month for its 10th anniversary, with a new pop-up platform for independent galleries and emerging artists

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
HKwalls celebrates a decade of street art in the city. Photo: Handout
Grace Brewer
Celebrating 10 years of street art in Hong Kong, HKwalls has once again transformed Central and the Western district into a vibrant outdoor canvas, this time until March 30. With murals and digital artworks that capture the dynamic spirit of urban creativity, PMQ serves as this year’s festival headquarters, offering a nucleus of exhibitions, workshops, guided tours and special events designed to engage both the community and visitors.

By its very nature, street art is an inclusive medium that transcends traditional barriers to access and appreciation. It exists in public spaces, inviting everyone – regardless of background or socioeconomic status – to engage with the artwork. This accessibility fosters a sense of community and allows artists to connect directly with their audience, creating dialogues that are often absent from conventional gallery settings.

HKwalls’ murals and digital artworks capture the essence of urban creativity. Photo: Handout
HKwalls’ murals and digital artworks capture the essence of urban creativity. Photo: Handout

HKwalls embodies this ethos with a brand-new initiative, HKwalls Rooms – a pop-up offering independent galleries and emerging artists the opportunity to showcase their work alongside that of renowned muralists.

“As we mark our 10th anniversary, HKwalls continues to celebrate creativity, originality and artistic expression, while making street art accessible to all,” says Maria Wong, the organisation’s managing director. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers typically associated with art fairs, allowing more participants to engage in the city’s vibrant arts scene.

Continuing the theme of community engagement, the main courtyard of PMQ is hosting live painting events and interactive activities, with self-taught Italian artist El Rughi inviting visitors to play his eight by eight-metre board game inspired by vintage Chinese Happy Chess.

El Rughi’s giant board game, inspired by Chinese Happy Chess, is at PMQ until the end of the HKwalls Festival. Photo: Handout
El Rughi’s giant board game, inspired by Chinese Happy Chess, is at PMQ until the end of the HKwalls Festival. Photo: Handout

This year’s line-up includes a diverse array of talent from around the globe, with artists such as Hopare, whose large-scale installation Indigo Memories adorns PMQ’s facade, featuring portraits of former residents. Other notable artists include Hong Kong’s own Ange McCalmont, Emerico, Erin Hung and DD Yung, as well as emerging talent from mainland China, Europe and beyond.

Advertisement