Miroslav Šašek: This is Hong Kong

Description

Hong Kong Design Centre’s M. Šašek: This is Hong Kong revisits the Czech illustrator’s affectionate portrayal of the city through his landmark book. Known for his loose lines and observant humour, Šašek renders Hong Kong as both spectacle and lived environment — where neon signs, harbour views and street-level encounters unfold with rhythmic clarity. The display situates his work within a broader visual language of tourism and memory, highlighting how illustration mediates between documentation and imagination.

Alongside selected prints, a reading and colouring corner invites visitors to engage directly with Šašek’s publications, while a themed photo kiosk extends his visual world into a contemporary, participatory format. Modest in scale but precise in focus, the exhibition offers a lens on how mid-century illustration continues to shape perceptions of Hong Kong’s cultural identity.

Moderated by Laura Mannering, executive director of Hong Kong International Literary Festival, This is Hong Kong — Design and Illustration Collide brings together Zolima CityMag contributor Billy Potts and illustrator Pearl Law on 13 June 2026, 13:00–14:30. The conversation will focus on the unique methods of preserving and celebrating illustrative work and how these differ from other forms of archival practice. Free admission; pre-registration required.