Living in a city as multifaceted as Hong Kong, we find glimpses of our identity everywhere. With her print series The Hong Konger, Sophia Hotung explores the city's cultures, experiences and phenomenons, and ultimately the many different forms of what it means to be a Hongkonger.
The disabled Eurasian illustrator and writer created the series based on The New Yorker magazine covers, adapting them to fit within the context of the city.
"For what I'm trying to achieve specifically with The Hong Konger, it is useful to have something to compare and contrast it to," said the artist, who suffers from a slew of autoimmune diseases.
The 50 prints are largely based on her own experiences. Her ideas stem partly from landmarks or cultural aspects featured in The New Yorker that remind her of Hong Kong.
Hog Walker is from the June 21, 2021, issue titled Local Fauna by Peter de Seve. Hotung's adaptation features a woman walking wild animals - eagles, boars, monkeys, lizards - spotted around Hong Kong.
Shelf Reflection takes inspiration from Shelf Life by Luci Gutierrez from the March 27, 2017, issue. Rather than Manhattan, Hotung condenses Hong Kong Island in the form of a shelf lined with varying cultural artefacts pertaining to its different areas.
As a strong advocate for gender, race, disability and the socioeconomic disparities within Hong Kong, The Hong Konger allows Hotung to express, through illustrations, her own thoughts and beliefs.
Using art as a platform, Hotung also expresses an awareness of her identity, raising questions and exploring her various experiences and limitations.
Her interpretation of The New Yorker's August 24, 2009, issue features a crowd gathered behind a big screen watching King Kong battling Godzilla - while the actual battle occurs behind them.
Despite not necessarily fitting the traditional description of a local, Hotung does not let that diminish her identity as a Hongkonger.
"It's mainly based on my experience because that's what is authentic," said Hotung. "If I try to be or assume anyone else's identity, it would come across as fake." Occasionally, she does a piece that is not based on her personal experience, but she said: "When I do pieces that aren't reflective of my daily life, I interview people."
Scaffolds & Spills, adapted from the April 2, 2012, issue, is reminiscent of Alex Croft's street art on 46 Graham Street, as well as a fun reference to her own father, who occasionally paints the facade of their house.
"I don't like to call myself like a great technical artist," she added. "I'm more of storyteller and throughout my life I have found different ways to tell stories."
Sophia Hotung and The Hong Konger will be featured in the fourth edition of the Art Next Expo from October 8 to 10 at Lanson Place in Causeway Bay.
