HKwalls Moves to Wong Chuk Hang this March

English text below.

HKwalls街頭藝術節今年3月移師到工業區黃竹坑，舉行一連9天的街頭藝術創作活動。3月18至26日期間，藝術節以強勁藝術家陣容，為公眾呈獻戶外大型壁畫現場創作、絲網印刷作品展覽，及更多精彩節目將於稍後公佈。HKwalls需要新的人才加入這年度盛事，現正開放給居住香港的藝術家申請參與。

HKwalls秉承在香港各處創建公共藝術空間的使命，移師到工業區將會是令人期待的轉變。黃竹坑這幾年經過多項轉型，現在是許多著名畫廊、攝影、設計及藝術工作室的基地。HKwalls於2017年的目標是要把這種轉變帶到室外，給街道帶來一點色彩。

自2014年創立至今，HKwalls致力加強藝術與公共空間的連繫。今年繼續與Vans、eicó油漆、MTN及Egg Shell Stickers 成為合作伙伴，更獲得鄰近的奧華酒店和少爺麥啤的頂力支持，進一步為黃竹坑出一分力。

「作為連續兩年藝術節的合作伙伴，我們很高興看到HKwalls積極推動公共藝術，提供一個展示本地和國際藝術家的平台.Vans跟HKwalls同樣擁有推動藝術創作的熱誠，給我們一個非常好的機會延續我們對香港創意界的承諾。」Vans亞太區市場總監Mathew Morgan說。

HKwalls正在擴大本地藝術家的參與陣容，希望透過公開招募發掘新的本地人才，給予支持並提供一個讓他們展示藝術才能的平台。

「作為街頭藝術界的新人，HKwalls提供一個好機會，讓我更了解香港的藝術景象，並可與本地和海外藝術家交流想法及技巧。」參與2016HKwalls的香港藝術家KristopherHo說。「HKwalls的優秀之處，是它不限於街頭、塗鴉藝術家的參與，而是讓其他相關界別的人一起探索這種藝術形式。它的強大能量正正令人看到香港和全球街頭藝術的未來發展趨勢。」

完整的藝術家名單、節目時間表及地圖將於2月尾公佈。有關居港本地藝術家的申請，詳情如下。

HKwalls returns this March for a nine-day celebration of street art and creative collaboration in the industrial district of Wong Chuk Hang. From March 18 to 26, the festival will engage the public with an incredible line-up of live mural painting, a print exhibition featuring the artists and more programmes to be announced later. The HKwalls team is on the lookout for new talent to participate in the festival and is currently holding an open call for any Hong Kong-based artists to apply.

Continuing their mission to create public art spaces all over Hong Kong,  HKwalls’ move to the industrial district will be an exciting change of pace. Wong Chuk Hang has undergone significant transformation in the past few years, it is now home to many notable galleries, as well as photography, design and art studios. HKwalls’ goal for 2017 is to take that transformation outside and bring some colour to the streets.

Since launching in 2014, HKwalls has aimed to strengthen the link between art and the public space. The organisation is continuing partnerships with Vans, eicó paints, MTN, and Eggshell Stickers. And neighbourhood establishments, Ovolo Southside and Young Master Ales are doubling down on their commitment to the district with their support.

“As the headline sponsor for 2 consecutive years, we are happy to see HKwalls Festival pushing their mission to provide a platform that showcases best in class local and international artists. HKwalls shares the same values that Vans holds dear and is a great opportunity to support local commitments to Hong Kong’s creative community.” Says Mathew Morgan, Marketing Director of Vans APAC.

HKwalls is looking to broaden the lineup of participating local artists, and through the open call hopes to discover new Hong Kong-based talents to support and give them a platform in which to showcase their art.

“As a newcomer to street art, HKwalls is a wonderful opportunity to get a better understanding of the local art scene and to exchange ideas and techniques with both Hong Kong based and international artists,” says Kristopher Ho, a local artist who participated in the festival in 2016. “The best thing about HKwalls is that it’s not exclusive to street and graffiti artists, but an opportunity to explore this form of art with people from other related fields. The immense energy of the event really provides a glimpse of the future of street art in Hong Kong and around the world.”

A full list of participating artists, the festival schedule and map will be released in late February.