A show by Yilin Wong, Curated by Maria Dragoi

Artist statement

“Are You Coming Home Yet” is a question my family and friends have asked me since I left Hong Kong in 2020. As much as I would have liked to see loved ones, I have been unable to return home, as the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic leaves the issue of travel constantly out in the open. Having to see Hong Kong change from afar, the exhibition is a way to remember Hong Kong. I want people to remember Hong Kong for its unique identity and beauty. The city may continue to change, but the love people have for it will always remain, no matter how far they tread away from home.

After losing the Opium War, China gave away its port-accessible city - Hong Kong, in 1841, and it remained a British colony for 150 years. Hong Kong’s budding population amidst Western influence has created a unique imprint - one that has fused cultures and identities. In a way, Hong Kong’s geographical terrain is similar. It is known as a city on a big island, but its hundreds of off-islands, filled with natural hidden gems, is also what makes the city, offering an escape from the urban jungle. Everyone understands how hectic the city is, and the solitude that the waterfalls, rock pools, and hiking trails of Lantau Island, Sai Kung, and all the spots in-between can bring.

Watching the city change from afar, being unable to return home due to the pandemic, these photographs are my way of remembering Hong Kong. The wide angles show the relationship to our environment. Our traditional ways of life continue to be integrated into contemporary society as the city evolves: bamboo scaffolding is used to build skyscrapers, a man pulls a wagon with an elder on it amongst rows of cars. This show is about the unchanged beauty of the outdoors of Hong Kong, places where many have found solitude in suffering.

This collection reminds me how visually striking Hong Kong is – take the view for granted, but once you’ve been away long enough, you start to appreciate the visual language of our culture and all its knick-knacks. Our customs and beliefs have somehow remained and lived alongside outside influence. As it continues to change, we continue to navigate our livelihoods.