When Two medical Practitioners Meet Arts in Nature to Co-create a Magical Moment of Easter Celebration

Hong Kong is often described as a hub of diverse talent, enriched by individuals with strong skills, deep knowledge, and a global perspective. With its unique cultural background, vibrant city life, and stunning natural landscapes, this small yet complex city nurtures remarkable people with experiences that inspire us. This is the story of two medical professionals: Dr Alex Ling and Dr TY Chui, who discovered a passion for the arts, exploring new chapters of life beyond their medical careers.

Dr Alex Ling: Where Nature Enriches the Arts and Lead Mankind to God

Lauded as the backyard of Hong Kong, Sai Kung is not merely a residence for its inhabitants; it is a veritable paradise for both locals and visitors alike. This enchanting locale, where serene waters and lush parks soothe every weary soul, has captivated many.  Dr Alex Ling, a qualified chiropractor from Canada and a passionate local musician, echoes this sentiment. "I totally love Sai Kung. Although I am not a resident, if I were to choose my favourite spot in Hong Kong, Sai Kung would undoubtedly be mine. I consistently associate Sai Kung with a holiday atmosphere. Its vastness, combined with breath-taking natural scenery and the most stunning coastline in Hong Kong, is simply unmatched. I cherish the water and revel in nature. Here, I can indulge in golf and explore the country park," he shared in a recent interview. Providing a moment of quietness to connect Dr Alex Ling with nature, art and God the Creator, Sai Kung is no wonder a wonderland to him.

Born in Hong Kong, Dr Alex Ling was introduced to classical music at an early age through piano and cello. In 1999, he joined the SAR Philharmonic Orchestra (SARPO) as a founding member. A true music aficionado, he cannot help but express his admiration for the tranquillity and serenity that nature provides. "Many musicians and composers draw inspiration from nature. Numerous artists spend months, or even years, in quieter places closely connected to the natural world." Like many of his peers, Dr Alex Ling reflects on life and appreciates the beauty that God has bestowed upon us. This is precisely why Sai Kung serves as his utopia from urban life. "I work in Central, and Sai Kung is a wonderful escape for me. It offers a natural environment with the finest coastline in Hong Kong. I often listen to classical music while immersed in nature because they beautifully complement one another." Music remains one of the most profound channels through which we connect with nature, while nature, in turn, inspires us to create exceptional music and interpret art in transformative ways.

Dr TY Chui: When Medicine and Art Go Hand in Hand

Dr Tak Yi Chui was born and grew up in Hong Kong. After graduation, he practiced medicine for more than thirty years. He is the former Hospital Chief Executive of Haven of Hope Hospital (2008-2014) and Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon East Cluster cum Hospital Chief Executive of United Christian Hospital (2014-2017). From 2017 to 2022, he was appointed Under Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

In 2013, he started taking painting lessons with Mr Chui Tsz Hung. Mr Chui was a student of Master Lui Shou Kwan who was one of the most prominent Hong Kong painters in the 20th Century and founder of the Hong Kong New Ink Movement in the 1960s.

Hong Kong is where East meets West in terms of people, history, and culture, and Dr TY Chui's painting style is influenced by this unique background. Dr TY Chui likes to work on traditional Chinese and oriental paper due to its versatility in interacting with water and various colour mediums, yet, he also paints on fabric and polyethylene films. He paints with Chinese and Western Ink, acrylic, pastel, and natural materials such as tea. Dr TY Chui's artwork is abstract by genre, minimalistic and monochromatic in earlier years, and much richer in colour and texture later. He draws inspiration from nature, city scenes, photography, fashion design, Chinese calligraphy, and uses a variety of tools and techniques to create the desired visual expressions. His works have been exhibited in Hong Kong and the Mainland and collected by private collectors three times in Christie's auctions from 2021 to 2023.

He created the "Butterfly's Dance" series in 2024, portraying the wonder of Creation in the brief life of butterflies. Butterflies metamorphosis is a celebration of new life and hope. As adult butterflies wriggle out from the pupa, they pump up their wings and fly to the sky. In the following few weeks, they not only serve as carriers of life moving from one flower to the next but also inspire human beings about God's wonderful Creation and Creativity through their beauty before returning to Mother Nature.

Haven of Hope Sister Annie Skau Holistic Care Centre Charity Concert 2025: Bringing together the two arts and nature loving fans to a magical moment - “Echoes of Hope: A Melodic Journey of Rebirth”

Dr Alex Ling firmly believes that music transcends personal enjoyment. It is the awe-inspiring natural world that captivates artists, and it is their mission to convey nature's message to humanity. As the Chairman of SARPO, he recognises that music, as a form of art, can play a significant role in charitable endeavours. That is why the Orchestra co-organises an annual charity concert with its long-standing partner, Haven of Hope Christian Service (HOHCS), to raise funds for their professional, progressive multi-services.

 This year’s concert, themed “Echoes of Hope: A Melodic Journey of Rebirth,” aims to raise funds for the service development, extension project, and the Relief Service (RCS) Beds Programme of the Haven of Hope Sister Annie Skau Holistic Care Centre (hereby called SASHCC). Living by the motto “Respecting Life · Impacting Life”, SASHCC is committed to offering a comprehensive range of care that integrates medical, nursing, rehabilitation, and psychosocial-spiritual services. It addresses the needs of frail elders, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those in the advanced stages of cancer. The aim of SASHCC is to provide comfort, dignity, peace, and hope to those confronting physical illnesses.

On the coming Sunday, SARPO is set to perform at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 20th April 2025, featuring two local solo vocalists and four local choirs. Dr Alex Ling thinks this concert is so special that it coincides with the Easter weekend. “Easter is special to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. In Christians’ hearts, resurrection is victory over death like Haven of Hope Sister Annie Skau Holistic Care Centre who has the faith and skills to encounter death. As a Christian organisation, Haven of Hope finds this to be an opportune and meaningful occasion for the concert. We will perform Fauré’s (Gabriel Fauré) Requiem, which serves as a mass for the deceased and a heartfelt tribute to those who have touched our lives. For HOHCS, it symbolises the resurrection of Christ," he shared. However, this performance is not exclusively for Christians. With its impeccable timing and captivating programme, it promises to be a delightful evening spent with loved ones, allowing us to embrace the true essence of Easter and engage in the joy of the day.

"If you find yourself in Hong Kong, I cannot think of a more enriching way to spend the evening than by joining us for this meaningful concert. Your support means so much to us and especially to those who are searching for faith and hope in their life journey. While there are many ways to celebrate Easter, attending this event will allow you to truly grasp its significance. We warmly invite you to come, support us, and immerse yourself in this transformative experience," Dr Alex Ling said.

To support the fundraising event, Dr TY Chui generously donated two pieces from his “Butterfly’s Dance” series for auction. The proceeds from the auction will go toward supporting SASHCC projects. His contribution reflects his deep commitment to the mission of SASHCC and his heartfelt desire to bring hope to patients and service users through God’s grace. The donated artworks depict the metamorphosis of butterflies—a powerful symbol of transformation, new life, and hope. The multiple loops appearing in these paintings depict the flight paths that a butterfly took in its lifetime. Though following a certain pattern, the paths are by no means repetitive. Every new encounter and experience, be it up or down, happy or sad, brings richness to its albeit short existence.

Seize this opportunity to experience the artworks in person. On Easter Day, immerse yourself in the world of art, much like the two esteemed doctors. Delight in exquisite music as you engage in bidding for remarkable pieces. Embrace this unique chance that may never arise again.

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Act now! Haven of Hope Christian Service (HOHCS) is now distributing 50 free tickets. Comment on the Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BJXuwmc9g/) and get free tickets to this wonderful journey of hope and rebirth. First come first serve. Bid the artwork in a click (https://bit.ly/4lmb08G) and bring home the world of fantasy!

Detail of “Echoes of Hope: A Melodic Journey of Rebirth”

Date: 20 April 2025 (Sunday)

Time: 19:45

Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui

Programme: Ave Maria (Vladimir Vavilov)

Requiem in D minor, Op. 48 (Gabriel Fauré)

Symphony No.7 in D minor, Op. 70, B 141 (Antonín Leopold Dvorák)

Enquiry: 2703 3250 / 2703 3378

https://www.hohcs-etouch.org.hk/product/echoes-of-hope-support-sashccs-mission-at-the-2025-charity-concert/