Hong Kong Street Art is something I had read about, but it was not something that I went looking out for. It came to me as I walked around the city.
Street Art is the most visual of art forms, especially in the big urban centers of the world. It is becoming a rage in most cities. Some of them think they are beautifying the city while others add a layer of city character on its walls. As you walk through the streets – these works of art catch your eye & ask you to stop for a moment to admire them, before you move on.
I found artworks on the streets, mostly in the happening Hong Kong Island – not counting the graffiti that was ubiquitous in the back lanes of the city.
Hong Kong Street Art
Come with me for a virtual tour of the artworks on the streets.
I saw the first street art right outside the Hong Kong Museum of History in the typical color of China – yellow and red. I must say that the treatment of the mural was quite modern though.
The next day at Ocean Park, while walking in Old Hong Kong Street I saw this door full of Chinese writing. I can’t say if these are some instructions, some stories, or some prayers, but I found this quite a unique way of painting the doors. In fact, the door is designed in long panels to accommodate this writing.
At another place, I saw this small pole – a chain holder in the shape of a human skull.
On my Kowloon exploration, I loved this long mural in pastel colors outside the bird market. The mural is the most beautiful part of this market.
On a walk around downtown, I found these lovely sculptures – yes, right on the streets.
Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden & Shrine
This sculpture is a memorial to those who lives during the second world war between 1941-45. It keeps reminding you of the city’s past that has blood on it.
Bang opposite in the middle of a pool of water stood these 4 panels with some abstract art on them. Every time I thought of interpreting them, I saw something different, negating what I had seen earlier, so I leave it to you the reader to make your own interpretations.
Stephen & Sttit – The HSBC Lions
The Stephen and Stitt are two lions cast in bronze that sit proudly outside the HSBC headquarters. Stephen and Sttit get their name from the then managers of HSBC Bank when they were first created for the Shanghai office in 1923. The ones in Hong Kong came up in 1935. A third pair came up in 2001 for the bank’s London office.
There is a curious story about their installation. Like everything in Hong Kong, they had to be installed at a time prescribed by the Feng Shui masters. The time was late into the night and the HSBC did open its office at night to comply with the Feng Shui.
Stephen is in a roaring pose symbolizing aggression and hunger while Sttit is in a peaceful, almost yogic pose sitting on his hunches. Sculptures carry the signature of the sculpture W W Wagstaff.
Bank of China Lions
The Bank of China building which is an immediate neighbor of the HSBC building also has its own pair of Lions outside the building. These are made of stone and look far more Chinese in character.
However, you have to hear the story of their making. The first set of lions created for this building is right behind the building. You literally laugh at the amateurish treatment of lions in these.
With all these stories, you can figure out how important lion guardians are for the banks.
Woman Aflame by Salvador Dali – Hong Kong Street Art
Acclaimed Artist Salvador Dali claims his space in Hong Kong outside Landmark with his sculpture titled Woman Aflame. It is a curious sculpture that shows a woman in a metal cast hiding her face and pushing the world away, bent backward. Go ahead, make your own interpretations.
Grain of Rice – Hong Kong Street Art
This tall bronze sculpture standing behind the HSBC building is bound to make you question what this could be. Honestly, I would have never guessed this is an artist’s interpretation of a grain of rice. Could you have guessed?
The soundscape on China’s National Anthem
This is a sculpture based on Xylophone – it is set to the tune of China’s national anthem. It is also a piece of public furniture where you can sit and admire the tall skyscrapers on one side and the ocean on the other.
Scent of Spring
This artist tried to tell us that we must sustain the environment for the butterflies. This reminded me of the Art Trail at Changi Airport.
Walking around, I came across these long sitting benches, bifurcated by cardboard-style caricatures.
Lastly, I walked on Hollywood Road with its Man Mo Temple, its street markets, and its happening cafes and I came across some interesting artworks on the street:
Cafes and restaurants on the streets connecting Hollywood Road to the upper or lower streets announced themselves with loud murals. There was art standing on the street as statues. T
All these works of art keep you engaged as you walk down the busy street.
More posts on the subject for you:
Bandra Artworks on the Street in Mumbai
Artworks on the streets in Bratislava, Slovakia
I have heard a lot about Hong Kong but never heard of this street art. Very good piece of information and well depicted pics
Oh, Hong Kong has a lot of street art especially on the Hollywood Street and in downtown CBD area.
I have been to Hong Kong three times and your post brings a new touch to the city. Looks like some of these are new or probably I missed them. But agree, Hong Kong has so much to explore. 🙂
Must go to Hollywood street next time. 🙂
Nisha, all ancient places have a lot to offer. Hollywood street is beautiful – demands some stamina but worth walking up and down, especially if you are with a group of friends.
Wow I never knew there was so much street art in Hong Kong! You could easily spend a few days touring the different areas you listed above.
Marissa – I covered all this while walking around Hong Kong exploring different areas. I would say keep an eye out for street art when you are moving around the city.
It seems like Hong Kong is filled with amazing murals and beautiful sculptures. The street art is all over the city, which is really stunning. And they are all so different and each one tells a different story about various cultures.
Sabine – What I liked in Hong Kong is that it is not just wall murals, but there are the art installations that tell the story of the city or its main businesses or some to remember the past. Like you said, a lot of variety.
I love the soundscape of China’s national anthem- there’s a sculpture in Helsinki, Finland that’s a similar concept, and as a bonus it’s pretty to look at!
Tamara – I did not know there is a similar sculpture in Finland. Maybe it is an artist who specializes in doing such soundscapes. I loved the whole idea of it.
what an amazing collection of diverse styles of street art you found in Hong Kong! I love street art in my travels and the ones you found in Hong Kong dont disappoint. That is totally bizarre that you found a human scull chain holder.
I love all the lions you found there too.
Eric – Skull was a bit of a surprise for me – have never seen it being used like this. Lion stories were fascinating.
I have been wanting to go to Hong Kong for years! I am so sad we didn’t make it while we were already in Asia for a few years. I also love finding great street art and murals in cities, they are just so fun to photograph and some are even more interesting because of their meaning. I would love to hunt all these down!
Megan – may you get to go to Hong Kong and discover its street art soon enough.
Thank you for taking us through the street art of Hong Kong. I had absolutely no idea that there was a Dali sculpture! Hong Kong seems to have lots to see and do, I hope to make my way there some time soon!
Michelle – it was a surprise to see a Dali sculpture but then what is travel without a bit of surprise.
Very interesting street art and sculptures, didn’t think Hong Kong had so many! Some of them are even quirky, like the chain holder in the shape of a human skull. The Bank of China Lions are pretty interesting too 🙂
Yes Medha, it was a discovery for me too although I did see a few wall murals while doing my research on Hong Kong.
Wow I never expected to see street art in Hong Kong and then too such detailed street art. I wonder what the words are saying on those doors and in fact it gave me an idea for my own home which I can implement hopefully. The most beautiful wall art on top is the bird market! I would be standing in front of it in awe by the details because I really like to complete similar paintings. You brought some inspiration here Anuradha. 🙂
Helene – have you seen the latest street art in Panaji – it is fresh and nice. I need to go and check out all of them one day.
Hong Kong is high on my bucket list but I have to admit street art was not one of the reasons. That is, of course, before I read your post. I think the streets look amazing and you did a great job in immortalizing them. Can’t wait to go there!
Bella – May you get to go and explore the street art of Hong Kong.
I never realised that there is such much street art In Hong Kong. There are some gorgeous representations here. I would not have guessed what that the grain of rice was . I can understand it’s significance, but find it a bit odd. I also love the mural at the bird market. The colours are stunning.
Janine – Rice is the basic food for Hong Kong, so I guess that is the significance of a rice grain. Even, we in India worship grains as they give us the basic life force.
I really love street art. I have only ever spotted it around the man mo temple district so I obviously haven’t been paying attention enough in Hong Kong. I love the cardboard People and the Hollywood Street painting.
Rosie – Maybe some of them have come up after you visited.
I am not a massive fan of art but I do love sculptures. Cannot believe how much stuff there is and some really great sculptures at that. How fascinating
Yep the sculptures of Hong Kong were nice and they just blended with the surroundings.
Thanks for the tour! The original bank of china lions are so funny! I had no idea that the HSBC lions started in China. Looks like a great street art destination!
Grace – I found the story of lions so fascinating – it is at the core a story of belief and faith.
I absolutely love street art, but I hadn’t heard of hong Kong being a destination for that! Clearly, it absolutely is! The bird market mural is my favorite! I can’t wait to make it to Hong Kong and explore it myself!
Paige – may you get to travel to Hong Kong soon enough.
A little contemporary and a little traditional- Hong Kong seems to have a good mix of the two arts. Personally prefer the vibrant mix than the modern art left to interpretation like the rice grain. I definitely would not have guessed that. And the skull is. Quite… Creepy
Ami – you are right, I found Hong Kong to be the curious mix of traditional and modern.
Wow. I didn’t know there are street arts as beautiful as these. I can’t seem to favorite any of these, neither do I understand them but I do appreciate the creativity and genuity of the artists. These street arts are sights to behold. And what a gift to bump into these like you did.
Lydia – Always a pleasure to chance upon a piece of art, anywhere in the world.
What a fun art-filled walk around Hong Kong! Ever time I read a blog about HK it just makes me want to go there more and this post is no exception. I think my favorites are all the wall murals on Hollywood street and the cartoon lion statues behind the Bank of China – I definitely want to hear the story about how they came to be!
Nick – here is sending a wish to the universe to take you to Hong Kong soon enough.
I am a big fan of street art and have seen some incredible cities that offer it but WOW this looks insane. Really unique art by the looks of it. Would love the HSBC lions for my house!
Meg – to have HSBC Lions, you would have to buy the bank 🙂
These are some incredible art works! These kind of works add character to the city. They sure have some very talented and creative people. I am keen to do some photography there. Hopefully some day.
Indrani – May you get to photograph Hong Kong soon.
I personally love to explore new places and especially this street art. These finest art are just amazingly wow.
Wish I could visit it once.