Born in 1965 in the former British colony of Hong Kong, Kwong Kwok Wai has long grappled with the plight of finding a true home, a dance between memory and possibility. As an artist, Kwong’s creative journey has been a quest to balance transformation and tradition.

Painting has been Kwong’s passion since childhood, and he honed his artistic skills through private lessons while pursuing a 30-year career in journalism. Witnessing the ups and downs of Hong Kong firsthand, Kwong eventually left his job as an Executive Producer at a TV news channel in 2018 to fully immerse himself in his artistic pursuits.

A pivotal moment came in 2019, when Kwong participated in an artist-in-residency program in Vermont. There, he discovered a deep affinity for abstraction, which became the foundation for his acclaimed “The Map of a Myth” series. Since then, Kwong’s work has been celebrated, with solo exhibitions in Hong Kong, art fairs and competitions, such as the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong 2024, Galeria Azur in Berlin, and Boomer Gallery in the UK. His pieces have earned him accolades, including Shortlisted in the International Art Prize from Winsor & Newton & Paul Smith’s Foundation”, 2024, Best in Show award at the Rise Colossus competition and a finalist in the “Abstract/Experimental Art” competition.

Can you share a bit about your background and how you began your artistic journey?

“My journey began with words and footage — ink on paper and scenes on footages, stories unfolding in real time. As a journalist in Hong Kong, I had the privilege of documenting history, capturing fleeting moments before they vanished into the past. I started my career before 1997, a time when the city stood at the crossroads of change. The handover from the UK to China was more than just a sovereignty transition; it was a profound shift in identity, culture, and destiny.

With my pen, I recorded history. But deep within, I wondered could there be another way? Could a brushstroke, a splash of colour, capture what words sometimes could not?

That thought stayed with me, lingering like an unfinished story. And in 2018, I turned the page. I laid down my pen and picked up a brush, embracing the canvas as my new medium of storytelling. Today, I paint not just to create, but to remember,  to etch history in colors, lines, and forms. Because time moves forward, but art holds onto what must not be forgotten.”

What keeps you inspired and motivated to create new work?

“Inspiration flows from my roots — the life I’ve lived, the city I call home. My journey from journalist to artist was a transformation, so I ask myself: why not let my art transform too? Why not merge Chinese painting elements with Western techniques, just as Hong Kong itself is a fusion of East and West?

Hong Kong has always been a place of change, shifting from British rule to Chinese sovereignty, evolving with time yet holding onto its essence. That change fascinates me. And then, one day, I looked in the mirror and saw another kind of change — wrinkles on my face. But rather than signs of aging, I saw something deeper: wrinkles are like the lines on a map, the new roads and old streets that mark a city’s history.

So I began painting maps of Hong Kong, capturing its “wrinkles” — its stories, its past and present. Some may see wrinkles as imperfections, but to me, they are marks of living, memory, and resilience. The same is true for my art: I create not just to depict, but to preserve — to show that history, whether on a face or a city, is something to be treasured, not erased.”

How has your artistic style evolved over time?

“My artistic journey has been one of transformation, not just in subject matter, but in the very way I express myself. I began with a representational approach, depicting the world as it appeared. But over time, I felt the constraints of realism; it left little space for interpretation. Every detail was explained, every meaning made clear.

Gradually, I shifted towards abstraction — not to obscure meaning, but to invite it. Abstraction opens a dialogue between the artwork and the viewer; it allows space for personal reflection, for emotions to take shape in different ways.

As a visual artist, it’s about discovering a visual language that can capture the intangible feelings and thoughts within. The organic lines and symbols on maps fascinate me, as I aim to construct a domain between the land and memories, between geographic reality and personal perception. It is this blending of the tangible and the ephemeral that propels my artistic practice, as I seek to give form to the ineffable.

Take wrinkles, for example. To me, they symbolize wisdom and experience, a map of time etched on skin. But others may see them as signs of instability, transformation, or even progress and evolution. That’s the beauty of abstraction, symbolism — it doesn’t dictate, it resonates. My art is no longer just about what I see; it’s about what I feel, and what others feel when they see it.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

“Creativity, to me, is not just about what I put on canvas. It’s about how I choose to live. When I left journalism to become an artist, I was over 50. Some thought it was foolish, an impossible reinvention. But isn’t that the essence of creativity? To see beyond the expected, to step into the unknown ?

Painting itself is ancient, with a history stretching back hundreds, even thousands of years. Yet, every brushstroke still holds the power to express something new. If changing my path after half a century is unconventional, then perhaps that very act is a form of creativity. And if my decision can break expectations, then my art, too, can be free — boundless, unordinary, and truly my own.

For me, the most rewarding part of being creative is proving that it’s never too late to start a new story.”

What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how have you overcome them?

Embarking on my artistic voyage, I encountered challenges that demanded creative solutions and unwavering resolve.

One hurdle was establishing my presence in the art world. To tackle this, I dedicate considerable time to building my online presence through my website and social media. I also actively seek opportunities to showcase my work by entering competitions and online exhibitions.

Another obstacle was the solitude of the studio compared to the buzz of a newsroom. Now, I found myself in conversation only with the silent whispers of my paintings. I started to view my paintings not just as pieces of art, but as my interviewees. Engaging in a dialogue with my own creations allowed me to find solace and companionship in my work.

Additionally, I believe in actively seeking connection through group exhibitions and building friendships within the art community. Shared experiences, both good and bad, are best navigated with the support of friends.

What advice would you give to emerging artists looking to establish themselves?

“To emerging artists seeking to carve their path, I would offer this: let your art be a symphony of experiences and inspirations. My time in the newsroom taught me that storytelling is not confined to words or images alone. It thrives in the interplay of sound, color, atmosphere, and perspective. Art, like a news story, is most powerful when it speaks from many layers. So, my advice is this: don’t limit yourself to one discipline or one muse. Absorb the world through music, architecture, cinema, or even the fleeting rhythm of everyday life. I often find myself weaving melodies into my work, letting music guide my creative flow in the studio. Let your inspirations come from every corner, and your art will sing with depth.

But art is not born solely within the walls of a studio. It is born in the world. The stories came alive because they were rooted in the vastness of human experience. I was able to tell them because I sought them out, every day, in the streets, the voices, and the moments that surrounded me. As an artist, I push myself to step outside my comfort zone and see more of this boundless world. There is so much to discover, so many stories waiting to inspire. To grow as an artist is to explore, to embrace the unfamiliar, and to carry those encounters back into your work.

So, listen, wander, absorb, and create. The journey itself will shape your voice.”

Text & photo courtesy of Kwong Kwok Wai

Website: https://walterkwonghk.wordpress.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwongkwokwai/