[Sponsored] NGO Justice Centre is celebrating five years of inspiring civic imagination through its Hong Kong Human Rights Prize (HKHRAP) – sharing powerful stories from the city’s artists.
Launched in 2013, this year’s prize is co-presented by Justice Centre Hong Kong and the European Union Office of Hong Kong & Macau and aims to explore the state of human rights both at home and abroad via any visual art medium.
A diverse selection of 23 artworks by 24 artists have been shortlisted for the award; the artists were selected from a pool of 126 entries.
After a difficult first round of judging, we have seen a remarkable group of artists progress through to the shortlist this year. Their human rights-themed work reflects the year that was politically, the zeitgeist, expressed powerfully through their chosen medium. We were also encouraged to see the diversity of entrants chosen for the shortlist, including artists from the migrant worker and refugee community – Katie Vajda, HKHRAP Director.
Pre-register your interest to attend December’s ceremony. A minimum donation of HK$250 is required to attend, though children under 12 do not need to register. The money raised will be used to support Justice Centre’s community work into 2019. The event will be catered by Pololi, serving their famous Poke bowls and the bar will be stocked with Golden Gate Wines, Peroni Beer and Absolut Vodka.
The winner will receive a prize of HK$35,000 and an exclusive trophy by renowned Hong Kong artist Jaffa Lam. The two runners-up and a Director’s Choice will also receive awards.
“The new award and expanded exhibition programme is a testament to the fact that the HKHRAP continues to resonate with Hong Kongers, and cements its status as one of the city’s most important community-focused art programmes,” said Peter Augustus Owen, HKHRAP Director.
“This year marks 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 5th year of Justice Centre Hong Kong inspiring the civic imagination through the HKHRAP, and we are proud to partner with the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macau to present this year’s exhibition,” said Piya Muqit, Executive Director, Justice Centre Hong Kong. “In a year where we have seen a number of fundamental rights at risk in Hong Kong, it is heartening to see the arts community continue to support and participate in the Prize, expressing and communicating their views through their creativity.”
The acclaimed judging panel includes:
- Mimi Brown, Founder, Spring Workshop
- Claire Hsu, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Asia Art Archive
- Professor Pang Laikwan, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Professor Eric Poon, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Ben Quilty, Artist
- Dr Kacey Wong, Artist
The exhibition at The Hive Spring will be curated by Sampson Wong, a Hong Kong-based academic, artist and independent curator.
Exhibition Details:
Don’t miss one of the most anticipated human rights art events of the year, where art meets society and big human rights ideas are balanced beautifully with action and real change.
An exhibition of the finalists’ works will be available for public viewing throughout Eaton HK’s lobby area in December. The winning artist will be displayed in the hotel’s “Tomorrow Maybe” gallery space. The gallery opening times are from Monday to Sunday, 11am-9pm – more information can be found here. Details on an art auction are to be announced soon.
Pre-register on Eventbrite. Visit Justice Centre’s webpage or Facebook for more information.
