Painter Chow Chun Fai is exploring the transformed landscape of Hong Kong through his upcoming exhibition, “Interview the Interviewer II,” set to be displayed in March at Art Basel Hong Kong. This exhibition is a continuation of his collaboration with Sharon Cheung, a former television journalist known for her coverage of diplomatic news from 1995 to 2004.
The exhibition revisits significant moments from Cheung's reporting career, including the handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule. It aims to reflect on Hong Kong’s political evolution amid escalating tensions in U.S.-China relations.
Chris Wan Feng, the exhibition's curator, noted that while history may not provide clear answers, it allows for reinterpretation of memory. He emphasized that art can offer personal insights into these complex issues.
Cheung's journalism career began before the 1997 handover and included notable moments such as her confrontational questioning of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin. However, since the implementation of the national security law in 2020, press freedom in Hong Kong has significantly declined, leading to increased self-censorship among media outlets.
Chow acknowledged that while he did not initially intend to create political art, the pervasive nature of politics in Hong Kong made it a central theme in his work. He expressed a desire for his art to remain grounded in reality.
Throughout his career, Chow has been recognized for his straightforward approach. His previous works often included social commentary through film stills. However, the current repressive atmosphere has prompted him to adopt a more subtle artistic style.
Chow described his new exhibition as a response to the growing restrictions on creative expression, comparing it to learning a new artistic language. He spent considerable time reviewing Cheung's archival materials, analyzing both historical context and the aesthetics of low-resolution footage.
In this exhibition, Chow allowed himself greater creative freedom, emphasizing cinematic elements and diverging from traditional journalistic framing. He focused on details that might have been overlooked in the original news context, transforming them into art.
The exhibition features moments from a different era, including a humorous exchange between Jiang and an American reporter regarding panda conservation. It also includes depictions of celebrations at Tiananmen Square following Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympics.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is a large painting of the 1997 handover ceremony, symbolizing the complex legacy of that event. Chow stated that his work reflects not just the historical moment but also its evolving significance over time.