Blue Days in the UK- Exhibtion Overview

Blue Days in the UK, Exhibition Poster. Source: Instagram

Curated by KooNg_0931, this exhibition of 6 Hongkonger artists in the UK explores the “je ne sais quoi” feeling within the migration experience. With the central theme of “damp-heaviness” –a sticky, suffocating feeling ubiquitous with the Hong Kong climate–, it sticks to us even in cool, dry London, rearing its head ever so often. 

Walking into the space, we were immediately drawn to Rick Lo’s vibrant art prints. His works exist somewhere between memory and imagination, filled with hidden details waiting to be discovered. 

We felt an instant connection to Whale Fall. The very act of whale fall holds a tragic beauty, yet Rick’s whale, carrying Jumbo Floating Restaurant, held a tenacious vitality that lets the memory of the restaurant live on in our memories. The Hong Kong map hidden on the whale’s fin also evokes shared memories for Hong Kongers living in the UK.

Opposite is Lam Pei’s work. There has been a slight departure from her previous work that can be observed from left to right in her installation. Her subject matter has shifted from figures of girls to flora, which can be a testament to her newfound observations to her greener surroundings in the UK. By capturing the natural world, she gradually uses plants as vessels to carry memory and emotion.

Next comes Sandy Leong’s work. Her installation has two works: the first is Grandma’s Magic House, inspired by an earlier collaboration with a Japanese author, titled Grandma’s Milky Tea. Her work draws from memories of her and her grandmother, exploring themes of life, death, and separation. It is especially created with young audiences in mind, since many children who migrate inevitably experience loss and grief from afar.

The second work is presented in the form of an animation. Love in a Fallen City combines live drawing with animated performance. It is a collaborative project created together with members of the London Symphony Orchestra and forms part of an ongoing interdisciplinary series.

Moving into the second room, we encounter Gladys’ works, which mainly consist of finely detailed oil paintings of Hong Kong cityscapes. Her canvases emphasize common architectural elements such as railings and street lamps, turning them into cues that invite viewers to project their own memories onto the images, transforming the landscapes into personal recollections. Her delicate brushstrokes create a tangible texture that bears witness to the time and care behind each painting, as if every stroke allows the audience to revisit and savor each detail alongside the artist.

Turning the corner, visitors will see the works of illustrator Lotte Siu, full of Hong Kong characteristics. Observant viewers may also notice the birds displayed at the gallery window—also by Lotte. From tessera tiles to the iconic red-white-blue motif, she was deeply moved by migration stories she collected online and began documenting these memories with her distinctive style. Four selected stories are showcased in this exhibition.

Curator KooNg_0931’s digital works are installed in lightboxes. Sad Park No. 5 feels particularly saturated with dampness, almost carrying the scent of freshly fallen rain. Returning to the first room, his small mixed-media series No One is an Island contrasts one vibrant and one muted piece, highlighting the balance between energy and tranquility. I particularly like No One is an Island IV on the right, which creates a framing effect in its composition and places strong emphasis on the use of negative space. On closer inspection, metallic acrylic details enhance the surface texture, giving the work an added tactile quality.

Finally, we come back to Gladys’ standalone piece, Humidity 96%. In my opinion, this painting perfectly captures the sense of “damp heaviness” that defines this exhibition. The scene is cloaked in a dense mist, carrying a slightly suffocating weight, yet the familiar imagery also nourishes and soothes one’s lingering attachment to Hong Kong landscapes, even while living in the UK.

We hope everyone can find some resonance in the works. The exhibition “Blue Days in the UK” concluded successfully on August 3, 2025. Please continue to support the future endeavors of these six brilliant artists! Text: Gigi