Hong Kong artist works at McDonald’s to help people understand low-wage workers

On social media, he shares his experiences and observations. His posts show his followers what life is like for Hong Kong’s working class.

“It’s about placing an artist ... into environments outside of 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. He sees the fast food chain as the city’s “community living room”.

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

Art exhibition shows Hong Kong cleaners’ resilience

Earlier this year, Ching spent six months in New York working with the city’s Department of Sanitation. This was part of a programme called Public Artists in Residence. Most programmes like this are usually tied to museums or galleries, but this one placed artists into government agencies.

“This programme integrated [us] ... into practical, everyday systems and roles. It brought together the perspectives of artists and public services,” he said.

“When I came back to Hong Kong, I realised we don’t really have this ... So, I decided to experiment on my own.”

In his advocacy, Ching stressed that his goal was not to oppose companies. Instead, he is looking to understand how they can improve.

In 2007, he successfully pushed for seats for security guards. In recent years, Ching worked as an outsourced cleaner for the MTR, and he used his job to show how these workers get low wages and have few protections.

At McDonald’s, he is now curious to see how a larger company works, and he is interested in exploring the shop’s ties to the city’s culture. He is not in a rush to make conclusions from his research. Instead, he wants to take his time reflecting on his role.

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

Ching has also been working overnight shifts at a vegetable stall. There, he was surprised by a young colleague who easily handled the heavy workload.

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

Ching has also observed how some students did well at 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,” he said.

He added that many of his colleagues did not fit the stereotypes of low-wage workers: “It’s a misconception to think of them as rough or loud. Many of my coworkers are incredibly skilled and composed.”

For Ching, working late at night showed him 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 said.

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

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