Just to the south of Hong Kong lies an island whose topography resembles the fork of a branch. It is called Lamma Island, and it is home to a wealth of scenic and cultural sights: high mountains with wonderfully shaped rocks; flat land suitable for farming and villages; and inlets that provide ideal conditions for fish farming. For a long time, the island's small population was made up of local residents who lived on the water and on the land, and they were later joined by a significant number of expatriates seeking a more relaxed lifestyle. With the mountains rising between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan providing a natural dividing line, two separate communities developed around these two bays. Most tourists' impressions of Lamma are formed by the bustle of Yung Shue Wan on weekends and holidays and less so by the more tranquil Sok Kwu Wan to the south, which has retained the simpler way of life of a fishing village. The scenic spots to explore include the Kamikaze Cave from World War II and the Tin Hau Temple with its giant oarfish, celebrated as ‘the Silver Dragon' by locals. But Lamma Island is not just somewhere to spend a weekend or a holiday, it also boasts a rich history filled with a treasure trove of stories.

To enhance the cross-cultural links among its residents and introduce an underappreciated aspect of the island to the general public, the Art Promotion Office is launching the "Lamma Mia" Public Art Project with activities centred on Sok Kwu Wan on the theme of "island shore", in which we will take a retrospective look at the island's history and lifestyle and how they have been shaped by the interplay between land and sea. Initiated by Dr Anthony Leung, the project has commissioned 15 artists/teams: Brandon Chan, Peggy Chan, Ho Yuen-leung and Humchuk will take up roles as artists-in-residence on the island and hold interactive creative sessions with residents from the different communities; Martin Cheung, Lam Duen Shan Ming, Kinchoi Lam and Jess Lau, Pauline Lam, Shum Kwan-yi, Sharu B. Sikdar, Siu Wai-hang, So Wing-po and Zhang Zhe will exhibit works inspired by the elements of nature and cultural characteristics at various locations on the island; and film directors Cheuk Cheung and Ma Chi-hang will each produce a documentary, one on the Tin Hau Temple and the other on the ferries that ply their trade around the island. What's more, the project is enlisting Art Together as the Art In-situ Curatorial Partner and the Hong Kong Community Heritage Foundation as the Public Tour Collaborator to organise a series of related activities, including guided tours, community workshops and documentary screenings during the exhibition period. Join us as we embark on a journey through the eyes of the islanders and tell the story of Lamma Island, its people, scenery and its past in a multi-sensory artistic approach based on integrated fieldwork and research that sets out to engage the public in a close dialogue with the island.

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Exhibition Period: 11.12.2021 — 13.3.2022
Venue: Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island

Download here:

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  Location Map of Artworks (2.30MB)