THE Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize 2020 was awarded to Kam Wa Magus Yuen today along with a cash prize of HKD35,000. The award-winning piece, presented by non-profit human rights organization Justice Centre HK, was selected from a shortlist of 33 works by an international judging panel made up of Christy Chow, Jeremy Deller, Peter Augustus Owen, Katie Vajda, Chantal Wong, and Dr Kacey Wong.
Yuen’s winning ink-jet print, titled Hong Kong Symposium 2019, depicts the city’s ongoing civil unrest through a vanitas still life of dry leaves in a tear gas canister. The work explores the anti-extradition law amendment bill—during which tear gas has been repeatedly fired by the police to disperse crowds of protestors– while also exploring the state of basic human rights in the city and the impact of chemical weapons.
Kam Wa Magus Yuen’s winning piece Hong Kong Symposium 2019
Prominent Hong Kong-based artist and long-time judge for the Arts Prize, Dr Kacey Wong says, “The Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize is a celebration of those willing to bring the truth from the darkest of corners to light. The world is going through a particularly trying time right now, and I hope this prize reminds us that we are all in this together and it is only if we depend on each other, that we can make it through”.
Now in its sixth edition, The Arts Prize has expanded its reach through supporting partnerships with the EU office to Hong Kong, Macao and Goethe-Institut HK where it continues to unearth new creative talent both at home and abroad.
Hong Kong Symposium 2019, along with all other shortlisted works, is currently on show at the Goethe-Institut HK for virtual viewing through Justice Centre Hong Kong’s Facebook page until June 6.
All works will be available to purchase via online auction, to which all of the proceeds will go towards the prizes for the winning artists and support the important non-profit work of Justice Centre Hong Kong.
by Molly Denton