Inaugurating the Art season: in Conversation with Winnie Davies, A HK artist
The The HK Art seasons attracts international visitors to experience Hong Kong from an Asian or even a Honk Kong artistic perspective. As we get set for some prominent Art fairs next month (at the time of finalizing this article) our it's good to know that very own Hong Kong Tourism Board will kick start the programs with a series of art installations and museum events (www.discoverhk.com), some of which are listed at the end of the article.
To participate in this bubbling Artsy frenzy which will hopeful positively impact Hong Kong's post-covid spirits and economy, LocalHood gets together with Winnie Davies- A Hong Kong artist.
In Pic:/ TITLE: Celebration, Oil on Canvas with a wooden window frame. Dimensions: 150cm (H) X 150cm (W) X 8cm (D)
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1) LH: Hello Winnie! Can you please tell us more about yourself and your journey?
Winie Davies: I always want to be an artist as far as I can remember since I was about 4 years old, I could just pick up a pencil to draw anything. I guess this is just natural to me.
My initial art training was learning the traditional Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting from the old Chinese master which was the traditional method to lay the solid foundation for my art development.
Besides Chinese art, I have also explored western painting and sculpture. Therefore, you may find some of my paintings and sculptures are the fusion of the essences of Chinese and Western cultures.
I went to the University of Hong Kong to study Bachelor of Art majoring Fine Art, and MA in Design in Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
During my university studies, I had realized that the academic researches of art history and the meaning of art were equally important for my art development as an artist.
Then I went to Italy to further my study of marble sculpture.
I was selected to participated in the International Sculpture Symposium and my monumental sculpture “Dragon DNA” was awarded to be permanently exhibited in Changchun, China since 2011.
Since 2006, I have established my private art workshop in Fo Tan, and participating Open Studios annually to invite private viewings of my works.
Since 2008, I have been participating in different charitable art sales of my artworks for different charity organizations.
Since 2013, I have been participating in public art fairs to sell my works directly, such as Hong Kong Contemporary Art Fair, Asia Contemporary Art Show, Affordable Art Fair, Shenzhen Art Fair…
2) LH: What defines Winnie Davies, the artist?
WD: I will say that I strongly identify myself as a Hong Kong artist whose works are created with multi-media. My works really reflect the contemporary Hong Kong cultures as you can see. The themes of my artwork is always related to Hong Kong, especially the reflection of current Hong Kong scenes and Hong Kong cultures.
In Pic (l): One Country Two Systems/ Oil & Digital on Canvas.. DIMENSIONS: 92cm (H) X 122cm (W) X 4cm (D)
In Pic (R): Let me Free/ Sculpture Bronze. Simensions: 60cmX 30cmsX 3cms
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3) LH: Where can we see and buy your work (Studio add, Art gallery, website, social media?)
WD: Please come to my studio in Fo Tan and see the real works:
Room 2, 14/F, Block A, Wah Luen Industrial Centre, 15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street, Fo Tan, N. T. Hong Kong.
You may also visit my website to see my works online:
You can buy directly from me without any commission charges. That means you will already have 50% off directly from me, she says with a smile.
4) LH: With March, we will see the annual international art fairs coming to town. What are you the most excited about?
WD: Please check out the Art Basel website because I am organizing the annual Art Basel VIP Tour to Fo Tan Artists Village.
5) LH: Which are your favourite HK artists as well as international artists? How did they impact your art?
In Pic: HK artist, Winnie Davies at work
WD: My favourite HK artist is myself of course, Winnie says before bursting in a laugh.
As far as my favourite international artists go, I would say the French Impressionist oil painters August Renoir inspired my portrait painting and Claude Monet. inspired my landscape painting.
There is also the British Minimalist Sculptor Henry Moorse, who inspired me for my minimalist sculptures.
6) LH: Do you think HK will still be a major city for Art lovers in the medium term?
WD: Hong Kong has been the major city for Art lovers before COVID, it was just the COVID interrupted the international art events holding in Hong Kong from 2019 to last year. Therefore, Hong Kong will be back in the positioning of major city for art lovers from this year since the reopening of Hong Kong border from COVID free economy.
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A selection of Hong Kong Tourism Board organized upcoming art installations and events.
March 16 – April 11: Hong Kong Museum & M+ Exhibitions
We will get to see firsthand some masterpieces from London’s National Gallery at the Hong Kong Palace Museum’s “Botticelli to Van Gogh” exhibition, visit M+ for the impressive “Noir & Blanc” exhibition on black-and-white photography.
March 16 – April 7: Digital Art & WestK FunFest: “Ephemeral”
Digital art facades will illuminate the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, along with WestK FunFest where an award-winning, large-scale immersive art installation features a world of giant, vibrant inflatable “bubble-tecture.”
March 22-24: ComplexCon Hong Kong
ComplexCon Hong Kong celebrates pop culture. The expertly curated festival features the world's most influential brands and artists, creating an experience that blends fashion, sneakers, art, food, music, inspiration, and more. This event marks the international debut at AsiaWorld Expo, located near the Hong Kong International Airport.
March 25 – June 2: Art@Harbour 2024: teamLab “Continuous”
In conjunction with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)’s Art@Harbour 2024, teamLab’s “Continuous” installation on Central Harbourfront will feature hundreds of glowing egg-shaped structures with ever-changing colors and sounds, responding to visitors' interactions.