Shenzhen exhibition shows how artists who have left Hong Kong think of their city today

Shortly after Hong Kong opened up its borders following the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong-based curator Chris Wan Feng presented a two-part exhibition called “Blue Throat” in Shenzhen, southern China, featuring the works of Hong Kong contemporary artists.

A new group exhibition curated by Wan at Shenzhen’s Mangrove Gallery continues this dialogue.

This time, the focus is on diaspora artists who are among the many Hong Kong people who have either emigrated in recent years or are spending part of the year away.

The title of the show, “Hong Kong Qi”, is inspired by a photograph taken by Shanghai-based photographer Hua Jian, also known as “btr”, during a visit to Hong Kong, Wan says.

The photograph shows a sticker that an anonymous street artist has stuck on a lamp post with the Chinese words “Hong Kong Qi” above a picture of the city’s skyline.