Why Hongkonger Luke Ching’s latest work of art is his job at McDonald’s

Known for his focus on Hong Kong’s working class, the 52-year-old conceptual artist has spent the past 16 years immersing himself in overlooked jobs to advocate for workers’ rights.

On social media, he shares his experiences and observations, offering his followers a glimpse into the lives of blue-collar labourers.

Hong Kong artist Luke Ching’s creative advocacy for MTR cleaners

In July, he launched a fundraising campaign to support his research as he took on various jobs, from working at McDonald’s to taking overnight shifts at a local grocery store.

“It’s about placing an artist ... into environments outside traditional art spaces, to see what kinds of observations or insights can emerge from everyday life,” he said.

Since August, Ching has been working for about four days a week at McDonald’s and sees it as the city’s “community living room”.

“Public spaces are often restricted – people may need to meet certain income thresholds or pass assessments to use them ... They all come with labels or barriers,” the artist said.

But he noted how the fast food chain was different.

“It’s not a fairy tale where everyone understands and accepts each other, but there’s an unspoken sense of shared community,” he said. “No matter how rich or poor you are, everyone is just another customer.”

Earlier this year, Ching spent six months in New York as part of the city’s Public Artists in Residence programme. Unlike most residencies, which are typically tied to museums or galleries, this one embeds artists into government agencies to craft creative solutions to the city’s problems.

Artists were paired with agencies unrelated to art; for example, Ching worked with the New York City Department of Sanitation.

“They had artists working with sanitation workers, transport departments, and even agencies dealing with homelessness,” Ching explained.

“This programme integrated them into practical, everyday systems and roles. It brought together the perspectives of artists and public services in a way that felt very experimental.”

When he returned to Hong Kong, he realised the city did not have this kind of collaboration between workers and artists.

“So, I decided to experiment on my own,” he said.

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Ching previously worked as an outsourced cleaner for the MTR, using his role to highlight outsourced workers’ low wages and lack of protection.

He said that his goal was not to disrupt companies but to focus on overlooked aspects of operations and identify areas for improvement.

One example of his advocacy dates back to 2007 when he successfully campaigned for seats for security guards.

Now, Ching is drawn to McDonald’s ties to Hong Kong culture and is curious to see how management operates in a larger corporation. He is not in a rush to draw conclusions from his research and is choosing instead to take his time reflecting.

“This model allows me the freedom to study and explore,” he said.

While working overnight shifts at a vegetable stall, Ching was surprised by a young colleague who managed the workload with ease.

“She was saving money to buy a motorcycle for herself after experiencing the freedom of riding one in Taiwan. Her dream gave her labour a tangible meaning,” the artist said.

He has also observed how some students thrive in their jobs, even if they might struggle in school.

“Even secondary school students, who are juggling their studies, approach their work with focus and determination. They’re skilled, quick and meticulous – never doing things half-heartedly,” he said.

“It’s remarkable how quickly they learn and retain information.”

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He added that the blue-collar labourers he encountered often defied stereotypes: “It’s a misconception to think of them as rough or loud. Many of my coworkers are incredibly skilled and composed.”

“Despite exhaustion, they maintain professionalism.”

The night shift gave Ching unique insight into the struggles of the city’s working class.

“At 3am, I saw elderly women working in the freezing cold. These are real-life situations I wouldn’t have known otherwise,” he recalled.

“This deeper observation changes not just your understanding of the workplace but also your view of the community – and what’s possible to change.”

Ching noted that observation was key to addressing societal problems: “We look at systems in overly broad ways, which makes it feel like there are no solutions. But observation helps you see nuances and opens up possibilities that might be invisible at first.”

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