為慶祝藝術三月，新藝潮畫廊邀請各位藝術文化迷，透過歐亞藝術家何慧恩（Sophia Hotung）的最新系列「樂舞都會」，全身投入都市生活的活力之中。這個與Wyndham Social 攜手呈獻的精彩展覽將於3月15日至4月28日舉行，藝術家以充滿活力的筆觸描繪香港日常都市景象，並融入音樂劇獨有的澎湃能量，帶給觀眾無盡驚艷。
「樂舞都會」將街頭行人化身為能歌善舞的音樂劇成員，從而探討我們在社會中扮演的複雜角色，是一組引人入勝、讓人反思的藝術創作。何慧恩從香港的街道獲得靈感，捕捉了斑馬線、道路、交通連結和行人路上的城市節奏，歌頌在日常場所穿梭往還的喜悅。透過快速變化的背景、躍動的舞者，以及反覆出現的圓圈和球體主題，巧妙地捕捉了動態和即興的本質。
「樂舞都會」的誕生源自何慧恩的個人自癒和解放之旅。藝術家在2020年因自體免疫性疾病而卧床後，她開始使用輔助行動工具於香港街頭行走，重拾自己的力量和自由。當香港從疫情的首個年頭中走出來時，何慧恩亦重返卧室外的世界，對這個城市的活力和事物另有一番體會及讚賞。失而復得的活動能力觸動了何慧恩，推動她創作一系列眾人在大街小巷翩翩起舞，熱烈慶祝生機重臨的景象。
何慧恩是一位歐亞混血的香港藝術家，以2021年和2022年創作的《香港人》藝術系列和畫集而聞名。她患有七種慢性疾病，在2021年臥床期間通過自學iPad數碼藝術開展了她的藝術事業。現時她繼續專注於在iPad上進行視覺藝術創作，並經常在學校和活動中講述她的殘疾經歷，宣揚她面對挫折時堅韌不屈的信念。何慧恩還經營Pangolin Society，一家致力於為香港的慈善機構籌款，並提供折扣或免費藝術服務的本地公司。要了解更多何慧恩的創作，請瀏覽 www.sophiahotung.com
To celebrate Art Month, a|n Gallery invites art enthusiasts and culture aficionados to immerse themselves in the vibrancy of urban life through Eurasian artist Sophia Hotung’s latest collection, “Choreopolis”. Running from 15 March to 28 April, the exhibition, in collaboration with Wyndham Social, promises to captivate audiences with its dynamic portrayal of everyday urban landscapes infused with the energy of musical theatre.
“Choreopolis” serves as a compelling reflection on the intricate roles we play in society, as passers-by are transformed into members of high-octane musical theatre ensembles. Drawing inspiration from the thoroughfares of Hong Kong, Hotung celebrates the joy of traversing everyday locations, infusing her artwork with the pulsating rhythm of crosswalks, roads, transport links, and walkways. Through fast-paced backgrounds, dynamic dancers, and a recurring motif of circles and spheres, Hotung masterfully captures the essence of movement and spontaneity.
The genesis of “Choreopolis” stems from Hotung’s personal journey of empowerment and liberation. After being bedridden from autoimmune diseases in 2020, she started using mobility aides to regain her strength and freedom to navigate the streets of Hong Kong without fear of incapacitation. Returning to the world outside her bedroom as Hong Kong began emerging from its first year of the pandemic, Sophia discovered a newfound appreciation for the city’s vibrant energy and settings. The excitement of movement sparked a vision of dancing in the streets and celebrating the once mundane thoroughfares with exuberance.
“Once when I had just started walking around outside after being bedridden, a playlist randomly shuffled to the song ‘42nd Street’,” said Hotung, who suffers from autoimmune diseases that limit her mobility. “It made me imagine the people around me launching into intricate tap dances or sweeping waltzes. Listening to songs and visiting places that remind me so much of my childhood love for musicals spurred this urge to memorialise through art the feeling of freedom and harmony with everyone around you.”
Sophia Hotung is a Eurasian Hong Kong artist, best known for creating art book The Hong Konger Anthology in 2021 and 2022. She has seven chronic illnesses and developed her art career by teaching herself digital art on an iPad while bedridden in 2021. She continues to create visual art exclusively on the iPad and speaks regularly at schools and events about setbacks and resilience through her disability story. Hotung also runs Pangolin Society, a local company that works to fundraise and provide discounted or pro-bono art services to Hong Kong charities. More information about Hotung’s art can be found on www.sophiahotung.com
