Every year on June 20th, World Refugee Day (WRD) is observed, as established by the United Nations, to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes to escape conflict or persecution. In order to raise awareness among the people of Hong Kong about refugees, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Hong Kong will be organizing the Urban Canvas Project for the first time this June. Six artists and one refugee creator will be invited to engage in artistic creation in six different locations in Hong Kong. They will draw inspiration from the stories shared by refugees from Pakistan, Rwanda, Egypt, and Niger who are currently residing in Hong Kong, as well as from a cricket team composed of displaced individuals, to interpret the stories of those who have been forced to leave their homes through their artistic creations.
Four of the murals will be exhibited in Wan Chai, including the wall on Queen’s Road East and St. Francis Street, lent by Dr. Lam Kin Chung, the founder of the Lam Kin Chung Charitable Foundation and sponsor of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Vine Church and Blue House will also display the murals. The other two murals will be located in the lobby of Eaton Hotel in Jordan and outside the Refugee Service Center in Chongqing Building in Tsim Sha Tsui. Seven artists will use their unique painting styles to interpret the stories of refugees through art, aiming to raise awareness and attention to refugee relief in society.
Ms. Vivian Leung, Director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Hong Kong, said that when refugees and displaced persons are forced to flee their homes for safety, they often cannot bring their belongings with them. Instead, they carry with them the stories of their hometown and the memories of their journey to seek safety. Behind each person, there is a unique and true story. However, in the process of their journey, their voices are often overlooked, drowned out in the crowd, or even silenced. Using art to tell stories can provide displaced persons with a platform to share their stories and help them showcase the courage that has sustained their journey and reconnect with the community they are in, bringing positive impact through artwork.
Further reading:
- From the breeding ground of sin to the art palace! Brett Crawford’s first exhibition in Asia shines at Fuyi Art, showcasing fairy tale imagery and demonstrating the artistic counterattack against life
- Experience the dreamy early summer atmosphere with August Vilella’s continuation of the seasonal theme and the collaboration with prominent characters!
- Chubby and strange creatures land in Harbour City! Artist Ton Mak creates a colorful and playful world to spread happiness
Kris《Break Free》
The Urban Canvas Project aims to showcase the untold stories of the displaced through art. To help the public better understand the stories within the paintings, free 45-minute guided tours will be offered from June 21st to mid-July. The tours will be conducted in Cantonese and will take participants on a storytelling journey through the art pieces in the Wan Chai district. Interested viewers are encouraged to pay close attention.
“Urban Canvas Project Guided Tour: Journey of Stories”
Date: June 21, 2023 – mid-July
Meeting Point: Entrance of Taikoo Plaza Phase 3
Image source and learn more: UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
