Our Story

"It was amazing to be a part of this international art exhibition."

5 students and trainees made their international debut in Art Basel Hong Kong in 2024, showcasing 13 pieces of artwork in this world’s leading art fair. The exhibition, titled "Being and Belonging," aims to explore the inner world of individuals with intellectual disabilities through art, expressing their longing for identity, existence, and acceptance.发

Discovering Artistic Talent

One of the Hong Chi artists, Tam Mei Yuk started out as a student in a painting group at the Hongkong Bank Foundation Hong Chi Fung Tak Centre, from which she found her passion in art. The Centre is dedicated to creating a spontaneous learning environment where trainees are encouraged to take the lead to find their strengths and interests. Ms. Leung Shuk Yee, Mei Yuk’s social worker, said art held such a special place in Mei Yuk’s heart. "She always puts her heart and soul in her creations. Her paintings embody her passion for art and her desire for integrating this passion into her life."

Her artwork "Party" shares some distinctive features, such as a rich colour combination and the use of curvy lines."Being a one-handed artist, Mei Yuk has the habit to switch different colours when the colour pencil tips worn out, making her artwork more vibrant and colourful. She also tends to rotate the paper while drawing, which creates those curvy lines in her artwork," said Ms. Leung. Despite being born with spasticity, Mei Yuk’s physical challenge doesn’t limit her potentials of becoming a creative artist.

Comprehensive Art Training

In addition to discovering artistic talents, the Association also takes a proactive approach in preparing potential Hong Chi artists for future employment. One of our emerging artists, Leung Ka Him, a student at Hong Chi Morninghope School, Tuen Mun, has already gained a few hands-on experience. With his solid background in digital drawing, he is determined to become a "Pentathlon Artist". "I hope to become an illustrator, animator, comic artist, graphic designer, and game designer after graduation!" Ka Him has a strong insistence on perfection and order, and is reflected in his artwork "We Draw We Talk" which is distinctive for the use of clear lines and contour.

His teacher, Ms. Fu Mei Shuen, admires Ka Him’s proactivity when it comes to learning new design applications. "Ka Him is very active in exploring different software to build his technical skills. It also improves his adaptability, allowing him to learn new things and embrace challenges." In addition, the school also provides a wide spectrum of work opportunities for Ka Him, such as creating illustrations, short films, and greeting card design. Not only does it provide a platform for Ka Him to showcase his talents, but also a learning opportunity to enhance his collaborative skills through real work experiences. "Though Ka Him has his own approach to creating art, it is also important for him to learn how to incorporate people’s feedback and create work that aligns with clients’ expectations. We believe these valuable experiences will equip him with the essential soft skills to help him excel in the workplace."

Transitioning to an Art Career

Another Hong Chi artist, Chow Chiu Ming is a leading example of making a successful transition into an art career. Working as an art assistant at Hong Chi Winifred Mary Cheung Morninghope School, he finds satisfaction in teaching students painting technique. Ms. Ko Mei Yee, Chiu Ming’s supervisor, has been very supportive throughout his career. "Career options for people with intellectual disabilities are limited. I’m so happy that Chiu Ming has paved a new path in his career journey, where he can turn his passion into work. This has greatly enhanced his sense of satisfaction and achievements."

At this year’s Art Basel, Chiu Ming attended the "Being & Belonging — The Art World of Hong Chi’s Children" sharing session, where he proudly presented his artwork and shared creative insights to a global audience. Reflecting on the experience, Chiu Ming beamed with confidence, "It was amazing to be a part of this international art exhibition."

Ms. Ko is very grateful to the Association for giving Hong Chi artists this valuable exposure. "It is also one of Chiu Ming’s proudest achievements." She believes the sharing not only recognises Chiu Ming’s artistic skills, but also significantly boosts his self-confidence, on both professional and personal levels.

This exhibition not only serves as a platform for Hong Chi artists to showcase their talents, but more importantly, as a vehicle to express their inner thoughts, connect with society and build a sense of identity and belongings through the transformative power of art. We genuinely hope the general public will continue to support our work in art development, giving our aspiring Hong Chi artists the opportunities to thrive and give back to the community.