When ink begins to glow

At Gallery by the Harbour this month, Aka Chio Wai-san (Aka), is no longer drawing only for herself.

Her fourth solo exhibition, Fluttering Wishes, running through March 22, is her largest to date—bigger in scale, in number of works, and in ambition. 

For the former pop idol-turned-artist, it signals an emotional shift, where she is no longer creating solely as an act of self-reflection. This time, she says, the work reaches outward.

“In the past, my creations were introspective, profound, and even somewhat dark — they were conversations with my inner self,” Aka says. “With Fluttering Wishes, I have undergone a genuine transformation from inward to outward: shifting from healing myself to sending blessings to the world.”

For more than a decade, Aka has built a distinctive visual language through intricate pen-and-ink drawings in black, white, and gold. Dense with symbolic creatures and narrative fragments, her works invite viewers to look closely, almost meditatively. The limited palette has become her signature — and her discipline.

“Color speaks directly,” she explains. “Warm tones bring instant joy. Bright colors delight at first sight. But I believe black and white are the most ultimate, timeless language."

She does not want viewers distracted by surface impressions. Instead, she invites them to lean closer, to trace the delicate lines and discover layered symbolism woven into creatures that hover between reality and imagination. Gold, used sparingly, punctuates the monochrome fields like fragments of illumination.

“It represents light in the dark,” she says. “A symbol of hope and blessing.”

That symbolism feels especially resonant now. The exhibition’s title, Fluttering Wishes, emerged from years marked by uncertainty and collective fatigue.

“These past few years have been full of uncertainty,” Aka reflects. “I’ve watched people searching for a little hope, a little comfort, a little warmth. Wishes are delicate, fragile, yet incredibly precious. I wanted to illuminate them.”

The works on display blend imagined creatures with global symbols of fortune, forming compositions that read like quiet prayers. The mood remains contemplative, but it is no longer heavy. Instead, there is buoyancy — an intention to offer something restorative.

“I want to tell everyone: every heart deserves to be held gently, every wish deserves to be cherished,” she says.

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Breaking the signature

For an artist closely associated with fine pen work on paper, stepping into new materials required courage.

This exhibition introduces canvas-based works and the use of gold foil, adding dimensionality and texture. It is, by Aka’s own admission, a break from comfort.

“Once a style matures, the hardest thing is to break through yourself,” she says. “Paper and ink drawing is my root, but I refuse to stay there forever. I want my art to exist beyond the page — to enter space, to enter life.”

The fear was real. “Change always comes with unease,” she says. “But true style is not about repeating the past, but daring to keep growing.”

Curator Rikko Lee Oi-kei, who has collaborated with Aka across multiple exhibitions, has witnessed that evolution firsthand.

“She started with fine ink pen doodling on standard paper,” Lee says. “But over time she pushed herself — moving to thick markers, wall murals that span several meters, and now canvas and gold foil. Each stage enhanced the texture and charm of her art.”

For Lee, the breakthrough this time is not just technical but emotional.

“Her previous works often carried philosophical depth and sometimes darker tones,” Lee says. “With Fluttering Wishes, she flourished her mind with positivity and vibrancy. It is a great joy to see.”

Lee’s curatorial approach began with a simple premise: clarify the message first.

“My starting point is always the inspiring message we want to share,” she explains. “Once we defined the theme, I worked closely with Aka to ensure every piece stayed true to that narrative.”

Story cards accompany each artwork, offering insight into symbolism while leaving space for interpretation. “Every element in her work has meaning,” Lee says. “It’s important that viewers understand her inspiration so they can form their own.”

A lighter note appears in the exhibition’s limited-edition Lucky Cat Zodiac series — twelve mini works pairing the iconic lucky cat with each of the Chinese zodiac animals. Whimsical yet precise, they introduce cultural familiarity into Aka’s ethereal universe.

“The Chinese Zodiac is something everyone relates to,” Aka says. “The lucky cat represents kindness, warmth, and good fortune. These small pieces are gentle little gifts.”

The works are also available as signed limited-edition prints during the exhibition period — a move that bridges gallery art with everyday life.

“When art enters a home, it carries a blessing into daily life,” Aka says. “That is the most beautiful value of art.”

Lee views the series as rooted in Hong Kong’s cultural identity. “We love the vibrancy and festive culture of this city,” she says. “This series reminds us to cherish our beautiful community.”

Lighting the journey

The exhibition’s most striking departure stands at its center: a large-scale lighting installation titled Also Known As, created with lighting brand KOFFA.

The structure — nearly one meter wide — is composed of thirteen sculpted pen nibs, enlarged and reimagined as glowing architectural elements. Each nib represents one year of Aka’s creative journey.

“Thirteen years is a long, real journey,” Aka says. “There was loneliness, doubt, perseverance, and countless late nights spent drawing. These pen nibs are the marks of every moment I refused to give up.”

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The collaboration emerged organically, she says. “I wanted to create glowing wishes. KOFFA shapes space with light. We shared the same vision.”

Lee emphasizes that the partnership was approached with care. “We are very selective in brand collaborations,” she says. “The brand’s vision and quality must be on par with the artist. With KOFFA, we ensured Aka’s artistic voice was honored.”

For Lee, merging contemporary art with lighting design reflects a broader shift in the creative landscape.

“Nowadays it’s exciting to merge aesthetics and functionality,” she says. “It’s meaningful to create something that fits into homes or offices — not only visually pleasing, but giving warmth to a space.”

In Hong Kong’s increasingly fluid art ecosystem, where artists often navigate between disciplines, Lee believes such crossovers signal confidence rather than compromise.

“In this era, being multi-talented and working across roles is natural,” she says. “It expands opportunities and amplifies artistic voices.”

A gentle illumination

Despite its retrospective undertones, Fluttering Wishes feels less like a culmination and more like a beginning.

“Yes, this is only the start,” Aka says. “In the future, I want visitors not just to look at art, but to step inside it — into the wishes, into the light.”

Before leaving the gallery, visitors may find themselves lingering — tracing lines, noticing flecks of gold, reading the small story cards beside each piece.

If they carry anything with them, Aka hopes it is simple.

“I hope they leave with just one feeling: You are blessed.”

Between shadow and light, Aka has gathered fragments of gold and set them free.

Aka C.’s Solo Exhibition “Fluttering Wishes” @Harbour City
Date: February 27 – March 22, 2026
Time: 11am – 9pm
Venue: Gallery by the Harbour (Shop 207, Level 2, Ocean Centre, Harbour City)

marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com