Q. What is your artist name?
A. I just go by my English name Kristopher Ho
Q. Where in Hong Kong did you grow up?
A. Lived and went to school in Tseung Kwan O and I’m still currently there!
Q.What is your art piece inspired by?
A. It is a bird that is trapped and unable to fly but trying to break through and release itself. It metaphorically represents the art industry, specifically artists in Hong Kong. Even though the freedom of being artistic has significantly improve over the last ten years or so, society and family member still finds a way to give us pressure. In Hong Kong, it is believed that being an artist is a career that won’t get you anywhere or wouldn’t earn you enough – as what we are told. The older generation always believed that working in finance, being a doctor or lawyer is the way to succeed in life. In Hong Kong, there is no such thing as “I do art because I enjoy doing art”, it is always “I do art because I am doing this for a brand”. Most art piece that I do is being judged at a commercial/business stand point and whether my piece is worth money. So artist is depicted by the bird that is trying to break away from commercial criticism to gain creative freedom that is free of monetary judgement.
The flowers are always present in my works of art. However, they are meant to be ambiguous in this piece . I don’t want viewers to associate them with a specific feeling (ex: Roses to love, Chrysanthemum to compassion). Though I’ve heard people say it looks like a mixture of Hops and Chrysanthemum.
Q. Tell us more on what you think of the art community in Hong Kong.
A: With social media being the forefront of it all, anyone can be an artist. The quality of work from artists becomes something that isn’t even what they want to do, but what they think people like and how it will earn them a buck. The importance of trend is crucial but some artists become so blinded from it that they just do what everybody is doing and think that is how they would succeed – but art is suppose to be diverse.
Q: What is the best part of being an artist?
A: Self reflection becomes more consistent because that is what I tend to do when I draw. I get to think and learn more about myself. A lot of my friends with a 9-6 job are consistently working, making money and having such busy lifestyles and ends up neglecting their own happiness. Before they know it, it’s time to get married because society has given us a timeline. Yes, it is a stable lifestyle but where is the adventure in that?
Check out his Instagram and website to be updated!
For more leasing information, click here