An observer, an advocate, and a supporter.
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Male
Age: 25-30
Artist; working, teaching drawing, protesting and creating artwork, not one less
“We take to the streets in solidarity not only for the extradition bill to be withdrawn but more importantly, also for a democratic, free, and fair society for our next generation. Some people may think it’s impossible, but how would they know if they won’t give it a try?”
As a child, I lacked confidence, and lived under the shadow of my sister who is a year older than me and was always at the top of the class. Back then, I only enjoyed doodling in my textbooks, but my visual arts teacher appreciated my work and encouraged me, then went on to inspire me to rebuild my confidence and find my self-worth and satisfaction through visual arts.
This teacher had brought us, a group of secondary school students, to Choi Yuen Village on a field trip to observe the protests taking place at that time.* The teacher told us, “the creation of art is not solely based on imagination; [we] need to open our eyes to observe society and absorb new knowledge, so that one day those observations will in turn nurture [our] art”. From that moment onwards, I started to take note of the deep-rooted issues in society, learnt to think critically, and began to use art as an expression of my observations and reflections about society. My teacher taught by example and used their own life to inspire others, and that helped me understand the importance of a visual arts education, on how it could expand one’s horizons and pass on the legacy of a culture. Nowadays, I teach drawing as a part-time job while creating art full-time, because I hope to spread what I have learnt to more people.
What turned me from an ‘observer’ to an ‘advocate’ was the Umbrella Movement five years ago.
The Occupy Central Movement began on 28 Sep. At the time, my friends and I were young, bold university students who went on the frontlines, hoping to make a change.
We barricaded the police’s barricades, and experienced the might of pepper spray and tear gas for the first time. All we had were umbrellas, and only when we choked on tear gas did we realise how dire our situation was. We had to retreat immediately. Compared to the valiant protest frontliners now, we were far too weak. After the Umbrella Movement ended, I became depressed because of family issues, pressure from work as a fresh graduate, and the overall morbid state of our society. Fortunately, art was there as a relief to help me release my negative emotions.
Five years later, we return. During the 2019 Hong Kong Protests, the people again demonstrated their voices and strength. The difference is that people are a lot more determined, and more youngsters joined the movement. Their determination is highly admirable yet heart-wrenching. When we saw tear gas that first time, our instincts told us to flee. Now when they see tear gas, they confront it and put it out. Hongkongers have really evolved. I am no longer a frontliner due to my personal baggage, but I believe that, as adults, we have even more responsibility to protect and assist those youngsters with everything we’ve got.
Each of us can fight in our own way, but with a common goal. People in different roles can leverage their strengths to influence others. Since I am good at drawing, for example, I can help design promotional materials. Civil servants such as myself can also participate in rallies and publish and sign petitions. Because I work in a government agency, I have come to realise that some of the people who stayed silent, they did it not for the lack of awareness about the world, but because they cannot speak up. This is why we need to speak out for them.
On Mid-Autumn Festival, I had a spontaneous idea, and I folded paper rabbits and slipped some messages in them as gifts for my co-workers. (Don’t forget the story behind mooncakes!**
Some people may criticise the protesters for being too violent, but have they ever wondered what caused these outbreaks of violence?
In my opinion, 12 Jun was the trigger. The police ruthlessly dispersed peaceful protesters, and subsequently, the government turned a deaf ear to the voices of two million people. When I saw a secondary school student tearfully collecting supplies scattered on the ground, I couldn’t help but think that they shouldn’t be the ones bearing all these burdens. The older generation gave us what they think is a prosperous and stable home, but it turned out to be twisted and unjust in reality. This isn’t what our generation wants to see. We take to the streets in solidarity not only for the extradition bill to be withdrawn but more importantly, also for a democratic, free, and fair society for our next generation.
Some people may think it’s impossible, but how would they know if they won’t give it a try? Selfless Hongkongers are not to be underestimated. A few months ago, who would’ve thought that we could coordinate and publish advertisements in newspapers around the globe?
- February 2022
- December 2021
- August 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
Journalist: Nata
Photos: Interviewee
*Villagers in Choi Yuen VIllage were angry that the village would be taken down to make way for the high-speed rail construction that linked Hong Kong and the mainland.
**Long ago, revolutionaries smuggled secret messages in an attempt to overthrow the rulers.