“The Kowloon Emperor” has been wandering around Hong Kong for many years, leaving behind ink treasures in different streets and alleys. From being seen as a crazy act of destroying public property to now having his works accepted by the public as a precious local graffiti culture, the creative journey of this “emperor” can be described as very tortuous. Lucie Chang Fine Arts recently held a solo exhibition “The Story of the ‘Kowloon Emperor'” for this well-known graffiti artist in Hong Kong, sharing the little-known story behind the “Kowloon Emperor” and its cultural value.
Tsang Cho-choi, also known as the “Emperor of Kowloon,” was born in Guangzhou in 1921 and later moved to Hong Kong. At that time, he was just a poor, almost illiterate teenager. After discovering some important ancestral documents, Tsang Cho-choi claimed that the land of Kowloon belonged to his family, thus earning the title of “Emperor of Kowloon.”
For many years, his self-created graffiti-style calligraphy, using the brush and ink from the traditional Chinese Four Treasures of the Study, filled public outdoor objects in Hong Kong, an international city, such as walls, bridges, traffic light control boxes, and lamp posts. The content of his graffiti calligraphy mainly focuses on political accusations against the colonial system, with emotional expressions of ancestors and family members as secondary.
Occasionally, he would also write two large “Guo Huang” characters. His actions have always been interpreted by the public as signs of mental illness; however, after decades of this graffiti-style writing, his persistence finally gained recognition and became a shared urban cultural memory for several generations of Hong Kong people.
Zeng Zao Cai conveys the message of the Chinese people’s indomitable spirit and love for peace through his written content and persistent actions. Family members play a significant role in the works of the “Emperor of Kowloon.” He often narrates his lineage, listing the names of his ancestors all the way back to the original landowner to prove his legitimate inheritance of the land of Kowloon. His wife, Wen Fu Cai, also frequently appears in his works as the “Empress.”
“Kowloon Emperor” Many of the works written on the streets have been damaged, but fortunately, some ink treasures created on paper have been passed down. You are welcome to visit the exhibition and learn about the legendary story of this pioneer of street graffiti.
“The Story of the Kowloon Emperor” Exhibition by Tsang Choichai
Date: From now until the end of July (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Time: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: Room C, 12th Floor, Chi Chang Hang Centre, 65 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong
Image source and learn more: Lucie Chang Fine Arts
