When it comes to the street features of Hong Kong’s old districts, the iron gates of roadside shops are definitely well-known. Whether it’s a grocery store on the street corner, a laundry shop emitting fragrance, or a stationery store that retains childhood memories, every shop silently standing in the corners of the city has stories worth savoring.
The art team “Urban Canvas” records oral history and local stories through artistic creation. Since 2017, they have created 83 iron gate paintings in 9 districts across Hong Kong, allowing iron gates to tell community stories. Recently, “Urban Canvas” will hold an exhibition for everyone to review all the pictures of iron gate artworks created over the years!
This year’s plan is divided into two stages. The first stage focuses on public art, with Jordan, Quarry Bay, and Shau Kei Wan as the creative bases. Eleven local art units tailor-make 21 new paintings for shops, presenting the personality of the shop owner or the story of the shop.
The second phase focuses on art education, and “City Gates” will hold an exhibition at Cityplaza from May to June, showcasing images of all iron gate artworks over the years. It will also launch four limited-time free cultural guided tours, led by professional guides from the social enterprise “Walk in Hong Kong,” who will take citizens to explore Jordan, Quarry Bay, and Shau Kei Wan on weekends.
The guided tours are divided into four main themes, with Jordan offering “A Different Nepal in Harmony” to introduce you to the Nepalese community rooted in Hong Kong, while “Exploring the World’s Traditional Handicrafts” pays tribute to local artisans; Quarry Bay presents “The Transformation Track of an Industrial Kingdom,” exploring the changes in this once largest industrial area on Hong Kong Island, with the opportunity to visit the Taikoo Archives; and Shau Kei Wan offers “The Past and Present of a Fishing Village Under the Giant Wheel of Time,” where you can breathe in the atmosphere of the old fishing village and experience the enduring warmth of human connections.
In addition, viewers can also choose to use the updated version of the “City Impression” mobile app, which will be launched in late May, providing new themed routes in Jordan, Quarry Bay, and Shau Kei Wan, a total of 9 regions and 14 guided routes. Using GPS navigation, users can discover the locations of all the iron gate artworks. The app also features AR augmented reality technology, combining virtual artworks with real environments, allowing the public to admire the iron gate paintings at any time without being limited by store opening hours.
For those of you interested in community or small shop culture, don’t miss out on this year’s art project by “City Gate Magazine”!
“City Gate Journal 2022” Exhibition
Date: From now until June 1
Time: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm
Location: G/F, South Tower, Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Quarry Bay
Image source and learn more: City Gate, Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation
