Artist Chan Sai-lok
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Artist Bio
Chan Sai-lok is a Hong Kong-based artist, curator and writer whose practice spans across creative production, curating, art criticism and education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, followed by a Master of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts in Gender Studies.
Chan’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the act of writing and reading, which he sees as essential tools for reflection, self-discovery and understanding the world. He explores the relationship between Chinese characters and contemporary painting, pushing beyond the boundaries of traditional visual art to uncover the literary essence embedded within.
Chan’s work is characterised by a constant exploration of forms and materials. In 2018, he began his "Red Series", a powerful exploration of cultural identity. This was followed by a shift towards a "Purple Perspective", which delves into the aesthetic boundaries within art. He revels in the ambiguous state of countless undefinable realities, finding comfort in the space between "here" and "there" and state of being "this" and "that", embracing forms of expression that transcend words.
Artist Statement
Fortress Hill, a place etched in the hearts of countless writers, whispers of warmth and belonging. Its bustling streets, a living testament to Hong Kong’s past, hum with the familiar rhythm of trams, while the hillside houses offer a picturesque panorama. My brief stay in Oi!, however, has left me feeling adrift, a physical presence in a landscape of restless thoughts. This residency has not only revealed the intricate fabric of life in the neighbourhood, but also my own ways of observing the world and translating those observations into art. Fortress Hill, in this sense, becomes a potent metaphor.
Life’s fragments and city memories are inherently scattered. Intertwined images, the balmy humidity under scorching sun, the sounds of passersby and residents, and the visceral sensation of standing at a crossroad — all narrate myriad community tales. It wasn’t until I discovered the elusive harbour and its past that I could string together the ephemeral summer vignettes, like bubbles in the light. Stories have always been fiction, images mere fleeting clouds, yet abstract sensations remain vivid before our eyes. Paintings morph into narratives, words speak with unwavering certainty, transforming the exhibition space into chapters of a short novel.
Chan Sai-lok is a Hong Kong-based artist, curator and writer whose practice spans across creative production, curating, art criticism and education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, followed by a Master of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts in Gender Studies.
Chan’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the act of writing and reading, which he sees as essential tools for reflection, self-discovery and understanding the world. He explores the relationship between Chinese characters and contemporary painting, pushing beyond the boundaries of traditional visual art to uncover the literary essence embedded within.
Chan’s work is characterised by a constant exploration of forms and materials. In 2018, he began his "Red Series", a powerful exploration of cultural identity. This was followed by a shift towards a "Purple Perspective", which delves into the aesthetic boundaries within art. He revels in the ambiguous state of countless undefinable realities, finding comfort in the space between "here" and "there" and state of being "this" and "that", embracing forms of expression that transcend words.
Artist Statement
Fortress Hill, a place etched in the hearts of countless writers, whispers of warmth and belonging. Its bustling streets, a living testament to Hong Kong’s past, hum with the familiar rhythm of trams, while the hillside houses offer a picturesque panorama. My brief stay in Oi!, however, has left me feeling adrift, a physical presence in a landscape of restless thoughts. This residency has not only revealed the intricate fabric of life in the neighbourhood, but also my own ways of observing the world and translating those observations into art. Fortress Hill, in this sense, becomes a potent metaphor.
Life’s fragments and city memories are inherently scattered. Intertwined images, the balmy humidity under scorching sun, the sounds of passersby and residents, and the visceral sensation of standing at a crossroad — all narrate myriad community tales. It wasn’t until I discovered the elusive harbour and its past that I could string together the ephemeral summer vignettes, like bubbles in the light. Stories have always been fiction, images mere fleeting clouds, yet abstract sensations remain vivid before our eyes. Paintings morph into narratives, words speak with unwavering certainty, transforming the exhibition space into chapters of a short novel.
Chan Sai-lok