Fotanian Open Studio Program, 2008

Fotanian Open Studio Program, 2008

Artist: Yip Cheuk Tong, Moon

Installation: Qi Dong Qian: Apple Doesn’t Fall Far Away From the Tree

Mixed media

January 2009 / Approximate: 200x120x100cm

From Yip’s Work, she used her grandmother’s name “qi dong qian” as the title of her work. It conjures up numerous childhood memories. It also symbolizes her grandmother’s life story as a traditional woman. Her grandmother had perfectly played the role of the “good woman” of strict feudal morality and social construction in her family. These all influenced Yip’s value and her life. She thought that women did not have many choices in the older generations. However, she could see her grandmother has lived happily.

Yip used different kinds of media to create this art piece. The main colour of her work is red—red umbrella, red curtain, red coils on sewing machine, red embroidered shoes, red shredded paper and red apples on the floor with a tuft of black hair on each apple. In traditional Chinese culture, red has the symbolic meaning of luck, happiness and energy. She used red to imply her grandmother’s life was full of happiness.

Through this art piece, she wants to disseminate a message that the gender roles of women have changed greatly from the old generation as time goes by. Women have more choices nowadays. The traditional definition of the “good woman” is now in a question or no longer exists after various equality and freedom movements in our society.


As there was a stock market crash in 1997, most of the factories began with “the migration of Hong Kong industries to the Mainland China” and “the economic recession in Hong Kong.” Thus, a lot of artists established their art studios in Fo Tan because of the relatively cheap rent. Also, the Fo Tan factory buildings is a suitable site for artists which enables the creation and transfer of large pieces or art works as the high ceiling and industrial sized elevator.

“Fotan Gathering” was the open studio in January 2003. The title in Chinese which means ‘old fire’ and ‘new charcoal. It is according to the show including both established and young artists. This exhibition was very successful to catch the eye of the public. As a result, Hong Kong Museum of Art invited the Fo Tan studios to be a Fringe Activities in the Hong Kong Art Biennial at the end of 2003. “Fotanian” was the first time to targeted on general public. The word “Fotanian” means the artists who have their studios in Fo Tan old industrial buildings. This event included exhibitions of 30 artists previously from 18 in 2002. As Fo Tan open studio attracted a lot of audiences from different levels in the public, this project was one of the most popular and well publicized event in the history of Hong Kong contemporary art.

Fo Tan is not just a desolate industrial area but many factories are still in business. There are many corner stores, fast food restaurants and factories around the studios. This is the characteristics of Fo Tan Studios which is primarily in an industrial area.