The term ‘Artwork’ encompasses dual meanings; not only ‘Works of art’ but also the concept of “Art and Work”. Artists often struggle to strike a balance between ‘making a living’ and ‘being an artist’, thus it is almost an inevitable to deal with the pressure of identity change and address the difficulties of adapting to the standardised workplace and repetitive routines.
ART.Work_WIP is an exhibition that explores the tension between the structurised, bureaucratic, often rigid demands of traditional office work, and the fluidic imaginative nature of artistic creation. Featuring four artists, KWAN Ming Wai Kelly, LAI Long Sang, WEN Ching Yiu and WONG Kwan Ho, who juggle full-time office jobs while creating artwork in their spare time, this showcase highlights the challenge of maintaining balance amid this duality. Their journeys reflect the ongoing struggle of authenticity, and the ways which individuals reconcile with the multiple identities in contemporary society.
For the show, POP Member, WEN Ching Yiu (Krystine), is exhibiting a series of 10 monoprints called Windows (2025), as well as 2 mono screen prints; Off Work on Time (2024) and Back to Work (2023).
Windows (2025) is a set of 10 small-scaled mono screenprints installed with wooden windows, inspired by the environment of the office where she is currently working her full-time job. In her office, there are no windows for colleagues to look out of, and only 4 walls left for them. Only bosses can have access to a window, where they can look out far away from their confines. This series of artworks presents imagined scenes from imagined office windows; other buildings next to the office, where Kyrstine could jump out during her lunch break, and back in again to get back to work.
Off Work on Time (2024) shares the collective thoughts of a Happy Friday, where employees do not work overtime. In the working culture of Hong Kong, overtime is often prevalent, and has been experienced by the artists themselves. Krystine created this print to wish all of the workers could finish work on time on a Friday.
Back to Work (2023) is the last piece available to view in the exhibition. Even after holidays and working days, we still have to work the next day. Krystine uses this work to illustrate this unfortunate reality: back to work again tomorrow.
Exhibition Period | 28/1 – 14/2/2025
Opening Hours | 11:00 – 18:00 (Monday to Sunday)
Venue | G/F, Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, Lee Shau Kee Communication and Visual Arts Building, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
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