HKwalls is pleased to be collaborating with Schoeni Projects, a new contemporary arts platform based in London and Hong Kong,  promoting and celebrating cross-cultural exchange through an innovative series of collaborations, presented in unique creative environments. Founded by Nicole Schoeni, Schoeni Projects will focus on two initiatives each year – with an outlook from ‘West-to-East’ and ‘East-to-West’.

This partnership is the inaugural exhibition at Schoeni Projects’ London space, a Victorian townhouse in South West London, which opens online and by appointment 24 July – 24 August 2020. Titled disCONNECT, the exhibition transforms the period building with new site-specific works from ten urban artists working across seven countries, including Alexandre Farto, aka ‘Vhils’ (Portugal), Aida Wilde (Iran) and Isaac Cordal (Spain).

Now opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, the exhibition is adapted to not only adhere to lockdown restrictions, but also to reflect on the creative and physical constraints of the current global crisis, exploring psychological and political reactions to the crisis, as well as the role of technology as conduit between the two. Accessible to online audiences through Matterport software, each work is further activated through an accompanying programme of digital initiatives, including downloadable art works, online videos, virtual tours and an Instagram Live interview series. The exhibition also encourages the public to submit their own art works for potential inclusion.

Full list of participating artists:

Adam Neate (UK)
Aida Wilde (Iran)
Alex Fakso (Italy)
Mr. Cenz  (UK)
David Bray (UK)
Herakut (Germany)
Icy and Sot (Iran)
Isaac Cordal (Spain)
Vhils (Portugal)
ZOER (Italy)

London-based artists Aida Wilde, Alex Fakso, David Bray and Mr Cenz create their site-specific pieces within the space, whilst adhering to UK social distancing guidance. Repositioning one of the house’s toilets as a ‘pandemic mausoleum’, Wilde presents her signature text works on wallpaper floor lino and paraphernalia including t-shirts and hats, with slogans sharing reactions to the pandemic – some the artist’s own (‘FEAR LESS LESS FEAR’), others sourced through social media outreach (‘99% of us are in this together’). Surrounded by everyday objects which have become totemic of the contemporary climate – toilet roll tubes donated by neighbours, discarded objects from “lock-down” spring cleaning and bottles of bleach sourced locally from the independent manufacturer Zamo – the works are presented alongside hazard tape, demarcating ‘socially distanced’ two metre intervals. In an adjoining room, new works from Wilde’s ‘wallpaper poems’ series, inspired by Christopher Wool, ask for ‘RELEVANCE NOW’. This is accompanied by poetry from the artist and the poet Rumi – offering a glimpse into the artist’s own psychological experience of the pandemic.

Artists creating remotely include Vhils, whose bas-relief carving technique transforms the house’s library doors, received and worked on during lockdown in his Lisbon studio. Sao Paulo-based Adam Neate also creates works on the house’s window blinds from his studio – some ‘positive propaganda’ text works, others show figures in moments of isolation.

Cordal’s new miniatures, placed throughout the house, respond directly to global images of the pandemic; a man in his dressing gown stands alone within a bird’s cage, whilst a quarantined masked couple appear both socially and emotionally distanced on their sofa, eyes fixated to phone screens.

Iranian born, Brooklyn based, arts duo Icy & Sot’s kitchen-based installation is modelled on a discarded table found within the house. Titled Socialism vs Capitalism (2020), the folding table is now complete with two folding place settings: the plates and cutlery split and hinged so they too move with the tabletop. The work reflects on the often-debilitating effects of capitalism on the poor, here represented through the most basic of human needs: food.

Berlin-based artist duo HERAKUT’s cardboard installation Silent Battle (2020) presents children engaged in various competitive games against an assortment of characters. Suggestive of an imaginary world conjured up to combat childhood isolation, the work also proposes that seclusion does not impede personal growth: ‘spending time challenging yourself holds the opportunity to become a better version of yourself – hopefully a nicer, kinder and more appreciative self’, the artists explain.

ZOER’s piece A Case Study of a House (2020), presents an anamorphic installation created through ‘barricade’ of domestic objects and furniture stacked within the space. Highlighting both the reality and futility of partitions, the works symbolise the ‘shield’ of objects and material possessions used to evoke social or emotional ‘distance’ to others.

Following the exhibition’s run in London, the works will travel to Schoeni Projects HK, to be presented alongside a dedicated programme of dialogues and discussions around artistic expression and the current pandemic, led by Hong Kong-based artists, in November 2020.

Nicole Schoeni, director, comments:

“Schoeni Projects is the exciting next chapter in my family’s commitment to facilitating cross-cultural collaborations between Asia and Europe. Building on this legacy, my new venture expands beyond the confines of the typical gallery model. I had always wanted to mark this with an unconventional show – namely a street-art takeover before we are set to renovate Schoeni Projects’ future home. Now, confronted with the pandemic, the adaptable and topical practice of this artistic medium has become integral to the project’s fruition. My hope is that, whilst reflecting my father’s philosophy and unique joie-de-vivre, through Schoeni Projects London and Hong Kong we will also provide distinctly new and dynamic spaces, which offer a truly contemporary hub for artists and art lovers to meet, engage and collaborate.” 

ABOUT

HKwalls

HKwalls is a non-profit arts organisation and annual street art festival which launched in 2014 with the goal of creating opportunities for local and international artists to showcase their work in Hong Kong and abroad. HKwalls celebrates creativity, originality, and freedom of expression; actively building relationships with artists, the community and organisations worldwide whilst making the creative process accessible to all.

HKwalls’ annual street art festival takes place each March during Hong Kong Arts Month and features 30-40 artists painting in the streets of Hong Kong. The festivals’ supplemental events and HKwalls’ year-round programming focuses on community engagement, artists’ career development and raising awareness through the arts.

Schoeni Projects

Based across London and Hong Kong, Schoeni Projects is a new contemporary arts space promoting and celebrating cross-cultural exchange through an innovative series of collaborations, presented in unique creative environments. Founded by Nicole Schoeni, Schoeni Projects focuses on two initiatives each year – with an outlook from ‘West-to-East’ and ‘East-to-West’.

Schoeni Projects London, opening with a soft launch in July 2020 before its full opening in summer 2021, serves as both creative exhibition space and collaborative forum for the development of ideas and inspiration. An Artist in Residency programme and artist studio space are currently in development.  Schoeni Projects HK opens in November 2020 in Hong Kong’s vibrant Wong Chuk Hang neighbourhood. The space presents Schoeni Projects’ commercial focus, committed to offering infrastructure and support in promoting and developing the careers of emerging and established international artists and collaborators.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, both sites are currently closed to the public. Once safe to do so, the spaces will be open to all but by appointment only, in consideration of local residents.

Nicole Schoeni

Nicole Schoeni is an art dealer and director of Schoeni Projects – an art space and collaborative platform with bases in London and Hong Kong – dedicated to promoting contemporary art and cross-cultural exchange between East and West. Previous to the launch of Schoeni Projects, Nicole was the director of her late father’s Schoeni Art Gallery, one of Asia’s most influential art venues, pivotal in the development of a generation of Chinese contemporary artists and a prestigious hub of the Hong Kong art world.

Nicole has also worked as a curator and consultant on international arts projects, sits on the committee for The 14^th Factory and is an active patron of Sovereign Art Foundation and Asia Art Archive.

Click here to download this Press Release.

Please address all inquiries to: contact@hkwalls.org

HKWALLS 2019

As we approach the end of a decade, we thought it would be appropriate to recap on what made 2019 such a special year for HKwalls. Simply put, 2019 was a wild year for HKwalls and our annual street art festival was a remarkable success. Taking place in Wan Chai this time round, the 2019 festival was our most ambitious effort yet and included more artists, larger walls and even more free events for the public to enjoy. HKwalls 2019 featured 49 artists, representing more than 15 countries, creating 40 public works of art on many different surfaces including walls, shutters, buses, trucks and trams.

即將進入新一年代，是時候回顧一下2019年HKwalls 的活動。對於HKwalls 來說，2019 年是難忘的一年。我們一年一度的街頭藝術節非常成功，今年的藝術節在灣仔舉行，是我們迄今為止最雄心勃勃的活動，當中包括邀請更多的藝術家，繪畫更大的外牆和舉辦更多的免費活動供公眾參與。我們邀請了來自超過15個國家的49位藝術家，在牆壁、拉閘、巴士、貨車和電車等許多不同平面上創作了共40幅公共藝術品。

THE CLUBHOUSE

A big highlight of this year’s festival was undoubtedly the festival headquarters, The Clubhouse. Located within a historic Tong Lau built in the 1920s, The Clubhouse became a major landmark in the Wan Chai district during the festival and Hong Kong Arts Month. Previously unused for over two years, HKwalls transformed the neglected building into a beautiful multi-floor creative space which was used to host many of the festival’s special events including the HKwalls annual pop-up exhibition, workshops, live gigs, a digital art battle and talks. A new addition to our festival this year and something we would definitely like to continue in the future was The Clubhouse exhibition, a separate gallery floor that served as an art fair featuring the works of esteemed artists and galleries around the world.

今年街頭藝術節的一大亮點無疑是藝術節的總部The Clubhouse。 The Clubhouse 坐落於一棟建於1920年代的唐樓內，在街頭藝術節和香港藝術月期間更成為灣仔區的主要地標。 這棟歷史悠久的唐樓被丟空了兩年以上，我們將這座被忽視的建築物改造成一個多層創意空間，用作舉辦藝術節活動，包括HKwalls展覽、工作坊、現場音樂演出，數碼插畫藝術比賽以及講座。 今年我們的藝術節更增加了一個新元素——The Clubhouse 藝術展，將獨立的一層改造成展場，匯集了世界各地知名藝術家和畫廊的作品，我們希望在未來的藝術節繼續保留這個元素。

HKWALLS AiR

Only four short months after the festival, we successfully launched the inaugural HKwalls Hong Kong Artist-in-Residence programme (Hong Kong Air), a multidisciplinary initiative designed to provide quality studio space for talented emerging artists. The four artists chosen for the residency were Hong Kong artists Go Hung, Espen Cook, Amy Maria Tong and Japanese artist Daisuke Tajima. The artists used this opportunity to hone their craft, experimenting and improving upon their individual technique and style, also learning from each other at the same time. Hosted at The Nate in Tsim Sha Tsui, the residency lasted a month and culminated in a free public exhibition presented in collaboration with HKARTS, Karen Chan + Frederic Bussiere, The Collective and District15 Platforms. During this time, The Nate became a popular artistic hub located right in the heart of Kowloon.

距離街頭藝術節僅短短四個月，我們成功啟動了首屆HKwalls香港駐場藝術家計劃（Hong Kong AiR），此計劃旨在為才華橫溢的年輕藝術家提供優質的工作室空間。 入選的四位藝術家分別是香港藝術家Go Hung 、Espen Cook 、Amy Maria Tong 和日本藝術家Daisuke Tajima 。四位藝術家利用這個機會來磨練自己的手藝，嘗試和改進他們的個人技術和風格，同時也互相學習。 他們駐留在尖沙咀的The Nate一個月，並與HKARTS 、Karen Chan + Frederic Bussiere 、The Collective 和Platform15 Platform 合作舉辦了免費的公共展覽。 在此期間，位於九龍區中心的The Nate 成為受歡迎的藝術空間。

Over the summer HKwalls worked with Japanese artist TA KA to create a three storey mural for Bui O Public School in Lantau as part of our ongoing Arts 4 Action community engagement project. This being our second partnership with Bui O School, the colourful mural is a beautiful representation of Hong Kong’s natural landscape and wildlife, featuring a water buffalo and egret surrounded by local Lantau fauna.

與日本藝術家 TA KA 合作，為大嶼山的杯澳公立學校創作了一幅三層樓高的大型壁畫，壁畫描繪了香港的濕地生態。

Working with Current Projects, HKwalls curated a massive mural, designed and produced by Spanish artist J. Demsky, for Mango TV’s Headquarters in Chang Sha, China. At 1,590 square meters, this mural is the largest we have been a part of so far.

與Current Projects合作策展及統籌， 由西班牙藝術家J. Demsky為中國長沙《芒果TV》總部大樓設計的大型壁畫。這幅壁畫佔1,590平方米，是我們迄今為止製作最大的壁畫。

Working with Write the Future graffiti shop, HKWALLS invited artists XEME and TA KA to paint two large murals at the 2018 Shi Fu Miz music and art festival in Cheung Chau.

與Write the Future塗鴉店合作，HKWALLS邀請藝術家XEME和TA KA在長洲2018年的Shi Fu Miz音樂和藝術節上繪製兩幅大型壁畫。

HKwalls curated a mural for the International Surf Day event hosted by Mavericks HK in Pui-O, Lantau. Inspired by the surf and ocean, artist TA KA aptly painted a whale jumping across a wall made of discarded surfboards.

HKwalls為Mavericks HK舉辦的國際衝浪日活動策劃了一幅壁畫 。受到衝浪和海洋的啟發，藝術家TA KA巧妙地畫了一條鯨魚跳過由廢棄衝浪板製成的牆壁  。 設計充滿衝浪和海洋的氣氛，散發出自由輕鬆的感覺。

We also participated in several talks, forums, and lectures. Speaking to a wide and diverse audience ranging from university students, industry professionals, and press, we addressed a variety of topics including self-motivation, the positive potential of street art, and how to transform one’s inspiration and creativity into tangible results.

我們還應邀參加了多次論壇和講座。向各行業專業人士、媒體和大學生，廣泛而多樣化的觀眾發表講話;我們討論了各種主題，包括自我激勵，街頭藝術的潛力，以及如何將靈感和創造力轉化為切實的成果。

Our last event for 2018 was a collaboration with HK Trade and Development Coucil’s Design Inspire. Local artists Bao Ho and Zoie Lam collaborated live at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for DesignInspire 2018. Images featuring 8 artists from our 2018 festival were also be on display at the convention including the works of Buck Teeth Girls Club, Zoie Lam, Alexis Diaz, Creative Hustlers, Megic, Sheep and Christian Storm.

我們2018年的最後一個活動是與香港貿易發展局的DesignInspire合作。本土藝術家Bao Ho和Zoie Lam在活動中合作現場繪畫壁畫。大會上亦展出來自2018年HKwalls藝術節中8位藝術家的作品，包括Buck Teeth Club，Zoie Lam，Alexis Diaz，Creative Hustlers，Megic，Sheep和Christian Storm的作品，。