13A New Street Art Gallery is proud to present the solo exhibition “Harmony & Happiness” by Angel Hui, Fapopo & LeonLollipop, running from 18 January to 16 February 2025. The exhibition will feature over 35 pieces of artwork. Coinciding with the Lunar New Year, this heartwarming event adds a festive atmosphere to the celebrations. Harmony and happiness are essential elements in life, and this exhibition centers around these core themes.
The three artists are treasures of the Hong Kong art scene, with works that are characterized by a strong personal touch, exuding both sophistication and immense appeal. Although their color palettes vary, they find common ground under the theme of “Harmony & Happiness.” These artworks not only embody the festive spirit of the season but also highlight the power of harmony and happiness within diversity, allowing us to experience profound unity and beauty from different perspectives.
Artist Angel Hui is known for her highly recognizable works. She has participated in the prestigious international art event “Art Basel” as an artist, showcasing her creations. Her installation piece “Embroidery on Plastic Bags – Hong Kong Goldfish Street” was one of the most popular and media-exposed works at the 2022 exhibition. In the same year, she was invited by the Hong Kong Museum of Art to showcase her work “The Emperor’s Feast” on the third floor, featuring over 500 pieces of blue-and-white porcelain art arranged on a 14-meter-long dining table, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing Emperor’s ascension and the museum’s diamond jubilee. Hui is also a key figure in Hong Kong’s art scene, bridging traditional and modern elements.
Her creations incorporate elements of Chinese traditional culture while seeking innovation in materials and concepts. This is particularly evident in her works that utilize plastic bags and embroidery as mediums. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these pieces quietly explore societal, spiritual, and aesthetic values, prompting viewers to reflect on everyday objects.
In this series of works, artist Angel Hui creatively embroiders goldfish onto transparent plastic bags, vividly capturing the celebratory atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, symbolizing happiness and prosperity. These seemingly ordinary bags, through innovative application, transcend their role as mere packaging tools to become artistic mediums that embody traditional Chinese aesthetics.
The dynamic forms of the goldfish complement the intricate embroidery, evoking a longing for a beautiful
life. In the characteristic Hong Kong Goldfish Street, aquarium shop owners place ornamental fish into oxygen-filled plastic bags. However, the everyday use of these items is redefined in the hands of the artist. To realize this concept, Angel Hui collaborated with professional embroiderers from Suzhou, China, challenging the application of embroidery techniques on transparent plastic bags.
This work is not just an artwork; it expresses a dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary art, as well as a profound reflection on the definitions of everyday items and artworks. When the fragile plastic bag is pierced and loses its function of holding water, it prompts us to reconsider the value of these seemingly mundane objects in art. Each stitch weaves infinite blessings and hopes, suggesting that every detail in life can be a source of artistic inspiration.
Artist Fapopo is undoubtedly a treasure of the Hong Kong art scene. Now in her nineties, she remains actively engaged in her artistic world, picking up her brush every day to create. For her, this practice is as essential as breathing, and her passion shows no signs of waning with age. Despite her advanced years, Fapopo is highly active in the art community, having showcased her works at the renowned international art event “Affordable Art Fair” and collaborated with various five-star hotels for exhibitions. Her artistic prowess is exceptional, and her reputation is well-deserved.
At 80, she self-taught herself to paint, revealing her artistic talent and earning her the nickname “Hong Kong’s Yayoi Kusama,” leaving many in awe. From a young age, she was passionate about painting but was unable to pursue her dreams due to family difficulties. For decades, she sold flowers in Mong Kok Flower Market, tirelessly supporting her family while never giving up on her artistic aspirations. After retiring, she emerged like a butterfly from its cocoon, bravely diving into the world of painting, a truly inspiring journey. Her works are characterized by bold colors and vibrant life, uniquely created on various vessels, allowing viewers to feel the beauty of life and the warmth of memories.
Fapopo, with her profound understanding of flowers, depicts the shape and structure of each bloom
with remarkable accuracy. It seems that under her brush, each flower possesses its own soul, exuding
the essence of life. She excels in using paint, a medium that retains its brilliance even in the face of
rain and storms, symbolizing resilience and beauty. Even when displayed outdoors, the colors of her
works remain vivid and stunning. Through her vibrant flowers, viewers not only feel the blessings of
the New Year but also experience the vitality and hope of life. Each brushstroke is like a gentle spring
breeze, transporting one into a lively sea of blossoms, awakening the spirit quietly.
Fapopo’s works are not merely art; they are a conveyance of emotion, allowing us to feel the power of nature and the beauty of life. Her art teaches us that even in difficult times, life can bloom in the most vibrant ways, reminding us to cherish every moment and find the wellspring of hope in every flower.
Artist LeonLollipop is a highly popular figure in Hong Kong’s art scene, with works that are widely embraced by the public. His beloved character, Gloomie Cat, often transforms into murals that appear in various famous locations across Hong Kong, even taking over numerous online media and social media platforms! Notably, renowned actress Chrissie Chau has visited his exhibitions in a “pilgrimage” of sorts.
His work has frequently been showcased at the prestigious international art event “Affordable Art Fair,” demonstrating his outstanding artistic skill and undeniable talent, earning him widespread acclaim. In a colorful, fantastical world, LeonLollipop captures the innocence and imagination of childhood through his unique artistic perspective. His works are like a visual feast; each brushstroke radiates vitality and emotion, immersing viewers in enchanting stories. By blending adorable characters with whimsical scenes, his art offers not only a visual delight but also resonates deeply within the soul. LeonLollipop’s creations allow us to rediscover the beauty and infinite possibilities in life, making him an undeniable force in the art world.
LeonLollipop’s series of works vividly depicts the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year with vibrant, eye-catching colors, cleverly incorporating the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetics. The canvases, adorned with patterns and crafted into irregular frames, reimagine the concept of “negative space” in traditional Chinese painting.
By using animals to symbolize modern urban dwellers, he illustrates a lifestyle of leisurely self-indulgence amidst a rich life.The chosen protagonists in his paintings—galloping horses and koi fish—alongside the backgrounds made from richly colored Eastern patterned fabrics and traditional Japanese kimono textiles, all represent auspicious meanings. Goldfish symbolize prosperity and abundance, while horses embody strength and success; these symbols take on even greater significance during the New Year.
Each stroke of color bursts with vitality, allowing viewers to feel a strong sense of inspiration and resonance. LeonLollipop’s works not only showcase the beauty of nature but also provoke deep reflections on emotion and life, as if each painting tells a story brimming with blessings and hope. His other popular series features the character “Gloomie Cat,” whose expressions of annoyance and impatience create a charmingly paradoxical atmosphere, reminding us to cherish every moment in life. Through his art, Leon Lollipop enables us to experience the power of hope and the beauty of life in a colorful world.
Open to public: 18 January – 16 February 2025
Time: 12-7pm (Closed on Mondays, Tuesday, 29 – 30 January 2025)
Venue: 13a New Street Art Gallery, G/f, 13a New Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
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