RE:URGENT: A Defiant Art Exhibition Unpacking Power and Identity in Hong Kong
- Team Written
- Mar 25
- 6 min read
Hong Kong, a city where the echoes of its colonial past harmonize with the dynamism of modern Asia, thrives on a unique blend of cultures. This energy intensifies during Art Month, an annual celebration that transforms the city into a vibrant canvas. Amidst the numerous exhibitions and fairs, "RE:URGENT" at Young Soy Gallery has emerged as a compelling voice, drawing attention and sparking vital conversations. Housed within the unexpected setting of a vacant office in Central, the very pulse of Hong Kong's financial district, the exhibition immediately signals its intent to challenge conventional artistic spaces and the norms they often uphold.
The exhibition's title, "RE:URGENT," with its unmistakable nod to corporate communication, offers an initial insight into its core message. It speaks to an immediate need to address and contemplate the inequalities, systemic challenges, and established power structures that subtly and overtly govern the daily lives of Hong Kongers, often with a layer of insightful humor. This approach suggests a deliberate effort to foster a dialogue on potentially sensitive subjects in a manner that is both thought-provoking and widely accessible. Adding a layer of immediate intrigue is a central installation: an unassuming office desk displaying both the Hong Kong and Chinese flags. This deliberate pairing acts as a potent symbol of the intricate and often delicate relationship between local identity and the influence of the mainland, a recurring theme within Hong Kong's contemporary art scene amidst ongoing political shifts. The inclusion of mundane office items, such as an ashtray, alongside a golden sculpture bearing the inscription "integrity," further grounds this symbolic representation in a tangible and relatable reality.
Curator Renee Lui astutely describes "RE:URGENT" as an endeavor to "subvert the office space that we are working in every day". By repurposing a location typically associated with routine, hierarchy, and often stifled creativity into an exhibition space, the gallery and the participating artists directly challenge the traditional perception of where art can exist and the role it can play in questioning societal frameworks . This act of spatial transformation underscores a broader critique of corporate culture and potentially restrictive societal norms.
The desk installation, conceived by artist Dominic Johnson-Hill, gains deeper resonance when considering its origins. Informed by his extensive 28 years of business experience in Beijing and his observations within numerous corporate offices, Johnson-Hill's work functions as a microcosm of the power dynamics the exhibition seeks to dissect. The deliberate inclusion of miniature flags and a golden sculpture symbolizing "integrity" can be interpreted as a satirical commentary on the symbols and values often associated with authority and governance. The presence of such objects within an exhibition critiquing power structures compels viewers to consider the potential disparity between stated ideals and lived experiences.
The "RE:URGENT" exhibition unites the diverse talents and perspectives of five Hong Kong artists, each offering a unique vantage point from which to examine the exhibition's central themes. Hong Kong-based sculptor Go Hung (b. 1980) channels his artistic practice to illuminate various social issues prevalent in Hong Kong and the wider world, with a particular focus on the often-overlooked realities of the less privileged. His artistic approach primarily involves the creation of three-dimensional objects, frequently crafted from discarded materials such as cardboard and other items salvaged from the streets. By transforming these everyday, often disregarded materials, Go Hung's work serves as a powerful metaphor for the pervasive consumerist culture he observes. In a distinctive move, he often returns these finished sculptures to the streets for public viewing, blurring the boundaries between the formal gallery setting and the everyday urban landscape. This act of placing his critiques directly within the public sphere underscores his commitment to making his commentary accessible and engaging to a broad audience.
Louie Jaubere approaches art with a keen awareness of the inherent absurdity of existence, utilizing mixed-media collages to craft comedic responses to potentially tragic realities. The work often incorporates fragments of pop culture and historical imagery, inviting viewers to closely examine how cultural icons and power structures have evolved and continue to shape daily life. Within the context of "RE:URGENT," Jaubere's contribution includes a subtle yet significant piece: a small paper cutout of Chinese President Xi Jinping, seemingly confined within multiple frames. This work can be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of individual agency, prompting reflection on the dynamics between the individual and authority.
OBSRVR, an anonymous street artist and social commentator, has cultivated a dedicated following since 2012 through their distinctive and often humorous graffiti tags and social commentary. Driven by what they perceive as the "stupidity found in the world around us," OBSRVR's work employs satire and wit to challenge societal norms and provoke thought on a range of issues. Known for tags such as "Shark Fin Makes Your Penis Small" and "One Day My Sextape Will Matter," their work often uses shock value and humor to draw attention to serious topics. The inclusion of OBSRVR in "RE:URGENT" marks a transition of their raw and direct social commentary from the streets into the more formal setting of a gallery, highlighting the increasing recognition of street art as a powerful form of social critique.
Dominic Johnson-Hill, known as Plastered 8, is a pioneering figure in Beijing's pop art scene who now resides in Hong Kong. With a background in streetwear and a keen eye for cultural commentary, his work frequently employs humor to reflect on ordered systems and the often-absurd realities of corporate life. For "RE:URGENT," Johnson-Hill's installation centers around a meticulously arranged desk featuring both Hong Kong and Chinese flags, alongside other symbolic objects such as a surreal digital wall clock and a photograph of people queuing to enter a coffin store. Inspired by his years of observing corporate environments in Beijing, this installation offers a satirical take on the intense and sometimes seemingly aimless work culture prevalent in Hong Kong's business district . His work prompts viewers to consider the underlying anxieties and pressures of contemporary professional life.
Riya Chandiramani, an artist born and raised in Hong Kong with Indian heritage, brings a vibrant and intricate perspective to the exhibition, exploring bold ideas about contemporary society through her mixed-media creations. Her art often blends iconography from both traditional Eastern (Indian and Chinese) and modern Western cultures, addressing themes of identity, power dynamics, and the impact of material consumption. In "RE:URGENT," Chandiramani embodies the role of an "unpaid intern" with aspirations of a feminist revolution. Her contribution includes a painting depicting herself as the Hindu goddess Kali engaged in a treacherous game of snakes and ladders set within a workplace context. This powerful imagery highlights the challenges and societal expectations faced by women, particularly within the corporate environment, and critiques patriarchal and capitalist structures .
Given its direct engagement with themes of power, identity, and societal structures, the "RE:URGENT" exhibition possesses the potential to ignite crucial dialogues about Hong Kong's evolving socio-political landscape. In a context where traditional avenues for expressing dissent may face increasing limitations, art can serve as a vital outlet for social commentary and a catalyst for public discourse. The artists' strategic use of humor and satire may make these potentially sensitive conversations more approachable and encourage a broader range of individuals to engage with the issues raised .
However, the exhibition's critical examination of power structures and the inclusion of politically charged symbols inevitably occur within the context of Hong Kong's national security law, implemented in 2020, which has raised significant concerns regarding the freedom of artistic expression. The explicit critique of authority and the presence of symbols like the Chinese flag inherently carry a potential risk of censorship or other repercussions. The decision by Young Soy Gallery to host such an exhibition underscores a commitment to fostering critical dialogue, even amidst these potential challenges. The artists' employment of humor and satire can also be interpreted as a subtle form of resistance, allowing them to address sensitive topics in an indirect yet still impactful manner. By framing their critiques with wit, they may navigate the delicate boundaries of acceptable expression while still effectively conveying their messages to the audience .
The "RE:URGENT" art show at Young Soy Gallery stands as a significant and courageous artistic endeavor within Hong Kong's current socio-political context. By transforming a vacant office in the heart of the city's business district into a space for critical reflection, the exhibition challenges conventional norms and encourages viewers to confront complex issues of power, identity, and societal structures . The diverse voices of the five participating artists, each employing their unique styles and perspectives, contribute to a multifaceted and engaging dialogue. While the exhibition operates under the shadow of potential censorship, its commitment to fostering dialogue and its strategic use of satire highlight the enduring power of art as a form of social commentary and subtle resistance. "RE:URGENT" ultimately underscores the vital role that artistic expression plays in reflecting and shaping our understanding of the world, even in the most challenging of environments.
