From a much-loved dog to a historic shop, memories of area are on display in show by artist Chan Po-fung
Metalwork artist Chan Po-fung with one of his creations. Photo: HandoutCorrected: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of the artist’s name from Chan Bo-fung to Chan Po-fung.
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When he was growing up in Tai Kok Tsui, Hongkonger Mike Tso often stared out his classroom window. He could see a waterfront that would later change completely.
His other memories of the neighbourhood include spending time at Fu Tor Loy Shopping Centre after school and going bowling.
The 36-year-old is not alone in having cherished memories of the area.
One figure well remembered in Tai Kok Tsui is Da Yi, a stray dog who could often be found roaming around a funeral parlour. The dog was also known for unwrapping a block of butter on its own.
Now, these memories live on in art created by Chan Po-fung, also 36, in a new exhibition called “Move on to TKT”.
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Part of a museum series organised by the Hong Kong Arts Centre, the exhibition features 10 art pieces that reimagine old objects.
“It’s not just about watching a community age and change – we can also appreciate these things as they grow old,” Chan said.
“People have different perspectives and memories when it comes to how a place changes ... The goal is to broaden our perspective.”
For one artwork, Chan used a piece of paper that Tso chose from his school days. The artwork symbolises how life starts as a blank page that gets filled with memories.
The centre’s main series, sponsored by the Urban Renewal Fund, began last year and uses art to start conversations about changes in neighbourhoods.
Strength on display
Tai Kok Tsui has always been changing. It started as a fishing port and then became an industrial area and later a transport hub.
As the city evolves, the exhibition asks residents how they can accept change and find new possibilities.
Chan’s artworks are inspired by long-time residents and well-known shops in the area.
One of those residents is Chiu Man-ho, also known as “Ho Gor”. He has been running Heng Fat Mechanical Engineering for more than 40 years.
Several hardware shops in Tai Kok Tsui have closed over the years because many factories have moved to mainland China. But Chiu’s shop has survived.
He said the creation of new towns in the city helped to bring people to his store.
Chan decided to create a piece of art to explain Chiu’s story. The artist used one of Chan’s old tools and combined it with a modern one to show the changes over time and the resilience needed to adapt.
Da Yi lives on
Chan was very interested in Da Yi, the stray dog loved by locals and cared for by funeral worker Luk Wai-ming.
Saying goodbye is part of Luk’s daily work. He regularly sees people losing their family members and friends.
But Chan said that when Da Yi died in 2021, the funeral worker felt a different type of emotion because he never said goodbye.
“Being able to say a proper goodbye to someone we love is not something we should take for granted,” Chan said.
To show this, the artist created a metal artwork of Da Yi in the style of a traditional paper offering. It was also wrapped in the dog’s favourite butter packaging.
“Paper offerings represent a tribute to our ancestors. This metal version symbolises the reminiscence of the living,” Chan said.
The exhibition runs until December 31 at One Bedford Place in Tai Kok Tsui. Entry is free for the public.
To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
cherished 珍藏
cared about or valued greatly
perspectives 觀點
ways of viewing or understanding something
reminiscence 追憶
the act of remembering past experiences
resilience 韌性
the ability to recover after challenges
stared 凝視
to look at something for a long time