The works of Jim Hodges tell of the beauty, fragility and loss, but also care and love, he saw as a gay Roman Catholic living in the Aids war zone that was New York city in the 1980s. At his first exhibition in Asia, Love Power, at Massimo De Carlo in Central, which runs until … Continue reading Caught in a web

Bookcases reaching to the ceiling stand side by side in Pants Theatre Production's studio, located in an industrial building in Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan. They connect the studio entrance to the rehearsal room. The books belong to artistic director Wu Hoi-fai, and the play he is preparing to stage is also related to a book. … Continue reading Listen to your heart

People are what make history interesting. The Centre for Heritage Arts & Textile's summer program, which runs until October 11, takes a look at Hong Kong's past through oral histories and everyday artefacts. The journey back in time begins in the arcade. Day Measures: Stories from Former Workers highlights four former textile production workers. Their … Continue reading New look for old threads

For those who are not classical music fans, opera can seem esoteric or even dull, but the Jockey Club New Art Power show When Mozart Meets Da Ponte, performed by the Bel Canto Singers, is sure to shatter your preconceived notions. "There's always a concept that opera is a little bit far from real life," … Continue reading Popera for the masses

Readers might remember artist Lam Tian-xing from the Instant Reflection: Hong Kong Artists and Sketches exhibition at Sun Museum. This time, he is displaying a series of his Chinese ink quick sketches titled Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Yunnan, done in the form of twisted, monochrome lines. The artworks combine the freehand charm of traditional Chinese ink … Continue reading Flower power

For someone in the creative industry, a lack of fresh ideas is probably the worst thing imaginable. But for Japanese artist Keigo, the solution to this is to stop overthinking. "Over the years, I have come to realize that I can't come up with interesting ideas even if I try to force myself, so I … Continue reading A fresh perspective

At the height of Hong Kong's manufacturing boom in the 1960s and 1970s, the SAR was the biggest exporter of toys in the world. But the industry declined as factories moved north in the late 90s. It was revived during the pop art fashion trend in the 90s, as art toys, a mix of pop … Continue reading Toys that go pop

Negotiation was the theme of Shirley Tse's exhibition Stakeholders, Hong Kong in Venice, shown at the 58th Venice Biennale from last May to November, which drew over 102,000 visitors. In a reflection of the tradition of the partnership between M+ at the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council for the … Continue reading Staking a claim

Argentine short-story writer Jorge Luis Borges once said: "I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library." But for 17-year-old Bai Yu, her imaginary heaven is a museum. Bai, who starting painting at age two, said she would visit museums and galleries while traveling, with each experience helping her to understand the … Continue reading Stairway to heaven

Quick sketches rarely play a significant role in an exhibition, but they do provide audiences with insights into an artist's life as well as the creative process. In Western art, sketches are usually done in charcoal. But sketching is not an established concept in Chinese ink painting as the painters need to grind ink before … Continue reading Quick on the draw