Forget about the parades, the singing of the national anthem and the flag raising ceremony, there's a more interesting way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

"Ten Years of Images - A Gift to Hong Kong" is a showcase of images and installations by more than 30 photographers who have recorded moments in the lives of the SAR's citizens, from 1997 to 2007.

The exhibition, at the Hong Kong Arts Center in Wan Chai, offers an alternative to official, formulaic commemorations and avoids cliched patriotic impressions. Participating artists are from different backgrounds and nationalities and include current and former photographers whose images reflect their perceptions of lifestyle, politics and culture in Hong Kong.

The works are not limited to the decade's milestone events such as the remarkable July 4 protest march of 2003, but include snapshots of our cityscape and lively portraits of ordinary passers-by.

"We wanted to mark the anniversary of the handover and my intuition was that it should be a photography exhibition," says Keikei Yu of Too Art Gallery. "I think people recall the past more easily through photographs. This is our gift to them."

The exhibition space differentiates itself from more mainstream galleries. It occupies the second floor of the Arts Center and exhibits are hung on the walls in a corridor next to the staircase which connects all levels of the building. It is easily accessible by visitors and has a relaxed, warm atmosphere.

"It is more appropriate to describe ourselves as a platform rather than a gallery as we provide local artists with a space to display their work.

"Other galleries seem to serve serious buyers only, and are often intimidating to average visitors," Yu says.

Yu says that the non-profit gallery was established in 2004 to promote original works by local artists, rather than generally more popular mainland realist painters and their contemporary counterparts from Southeast Asia.

Artist and former photographer Tse Ming-chong has contributed an installation consisting of two overlapping images - see picture at left.

The base image was taken at midnight on July 1, 1997, at the ferry pier, and shows a westerner and a local sitting together on a bench. Overlaying that image is one of a relaxed man enjoying his milk tea at a street stall. That picture was taken in May 2007.

"I like his leisurely posture, and how he enjoys his drink. It reminds me of my personal feelings about the past 10 years."

Tse started his career as a photographer for Next Magazine in 1992 and became a photoeditor for The Sun daily newspaper in 1998. He quit the industry, completed a degree in communications at Hong Kong Baptist University, then travelled to Britain to earn his masters degree.

He's currently a lecturer as the Hong Kong Arts Center's Art School and is a founding member of the photography workshop Lumenvisum.

Ten Years of Images is co-organized by the Too Art Gallery and Lumenvisum. Exhibits are available for sale.

Ten Year of Images

Until Jul 8.

Too Art, 2/F Hong Kong Arts Center, 2 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai.

2834 0123