Published: 29/10/2024
Artistic creation is not always smooth sailing. How do artists in “Mind the Gap” face difficulties during challenging times? 🗺️Our last interview uncovered that the artistic process is not static but constantly evolving with life experiences and inner reflections, and this growth and change is at the core of artists’ current creations. Today, we delve deeper into their thoughts.
1. 💬How do you stay motivated and overcome creative blocks?
🟠Cheung Jenny: The key to maintaining motivation lies in continuously exploring new things, observing, and reflecting. I regularly attend art exhibitions and lectures. Communicating with other artists brings new inspiration and perspectives that help me overcome creative blocks. I also try different materials and methods, which reignites my passion for creation.
🟡Chiu Kar Man: I constantly question the source of my creativity, seeking and affirming my own thoughts.
🔵Chung Cheuk Wing: I spend time alone, connect with nature, create, and engage in different activities.
🟢Chwe Shuk Fong: Visiting various exhibitions, reading different types of books, watching films, or listening to music helps me explore new themes, techniques, and mediums to inspire my creative ideas. Interacting with mentors and other artists is a great way to share thoughts and experiences, gaining new ideas and suggestions from their feedback.
2. 💬What do you think is the most challenging aspect of artistic development?
🟠Cheung Jenny: The most challenging aspect is maintaining continuity and uniqueness in creation. In the current diverse artistic environment, finding a path to express oneself without external influence is a constantly evolving question.
🟡Chiu Kar Man: How to focus on one state while having various elements at hand, how to make sacrifices, how to choose, and how to accurately find one’s own form—this is an exploration of the relationship with oneself.
🔵Chung Cheuk Wing: Balancing ideals with reality, time management, allowing for empty space, and innovation.
🟢Chwe Shuk Fong: The biggest challenge is to keep works innovative and original. Artists must continuously explore new ideas and methods to maintain the freshness and uniqueness of their work. This requires creativity and courage to challenge traditional and old ideas, pushing for innovation and breakthroughs.
3. 💬Can you share some unforgettable experiences from your artistic journey?
🟠Cheung Jenny: Every moment of communication with others, whether artists or viewers, expands my horizons. Deep conversations make me realise that creation is not only self-expression but also a bridge to connect with others, allowing me to appreciate the diversity and inclusiveness of art, which deeply inspires me.
🟡Chiu Kar Man: During my artistic journey, encountering unfamiliar concepts often fills me with self-doubt. After a while, I rediscovered my position – akin to a roller coaster, with ups and downs. Throughout the process, I must hold on tightly to the handrail to avoid being thrown into the air, which is quite exhausting.
🔵Chung Cheuk Wing: I enjoy having conversations with myself during creation, discovering aspects of myself that I rarely see. Exploring different new things also stimulates thought.
🟢Chwe Shuk Fong: The artistic journey is filled with challenges and surprises; every creation is an exploration and breakthrough. Completing a work or a successful exhibition sometimes brings unforgettable memories to an artist, while at other times, a failure or setback becomes an important experience for growth. Overall, every moment in the artistic journey is worth remembering and reflecting upon.
4. 💬How do you balance artistic practice with other aspects of life?
🟠Cheung Jenny: I incorporate artistic creation into my daily life, making it a part of my routine, and I focus on observation and reflection. Experiences and relationships in life enrich my artistic creation, so I strive to maintain a balance between the two.
🟡Chiu Kar Man: I would say that artistic practice is the balancing point in my life.
🟢Chwe Shuk Fong: The standard answer is that “artists need to find a balance by establishing good time management and work habits to balance both.” I formulate a clear work plan, allocating time for different creative projects and life issues, while maintaining good health and mental well-being. But for me, this is a challenge; whenever I immerse myself in creation, I naturally overlook other important aspects of life.
🟣Mok Fai: For me, it’s about lifestyle; there is no inherent contradiction.
Mind the Gap — Exhibition at The Gallery of Hong Kong Art School
🗓️Exhibition Period: 4 Oct – 7 Nov 2024
🕚Time: 11am – 8pm (Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays)
📍Venue: The Gallery of Hong Kong Art School (10/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong)
👨🏻🎨Artists: Cheung Jenny | Chiu Kar Man | Chung Cheuk Wing | Chwe Shuk Fong | Mok Fai
