TikKa Art Exhibition London 2024
Smoke gets in your life 浩瀚煙波裡
In 2022, Hong Kong artist Tik Ka held an exhibition titled “Gazing into the sky…” in Hong Kong documenting his experiences of relocating from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom and the feelings of leaving his homeland. Centered around the theme of “clouds”, the exhibition conveyed the unpredictability of life. Settling in a serene independent house in the fresh and tranquil English garden, away from the dense concrete forest of Hong Kong, he found the vast space and boundless sky to be a refreshing experience. Each day, he enjoyed lying in a corner of the garden, watching the ever-changing white clouds, reminiscing about the rapidly transforming generations, recalling Hong Kong and missing the past. This inspired the conceptual theme of his exhibition “Changes in appearance. Changes in situation…”
Fast forward to 2024, Tik Ka presents his first solo exhibition in London, titled “Smoke gets in your life”, marking 2 years since his previous exhibition. From the point of departure to the destination, he meticulously records the contrasting environments, rhythms and cultural lives, sharing his insights into changes. Echoing his exhibition in 2022, the title is inspired by the lyrics of a Cantonese classic by Anita Mui “Years flowing like water”. From the expansive clouds in the sky of the past to today’s wisps of smoke, he reflects on how to navigate through the emotions of meeting and parting.
2022年香港藝術家迪嘉(Tik Ka)於香港舉辦《望着天⼀片……》作品展，記錄了他從香港移居英國後離鄉別井的感受，以「雲」為主軸，帶出世事不可預期的無常。遠離高密度石屎森林隱居清新寧謐的英國花園獨立屋，置身從未如此遼闊的空間遠眺⼀望無際的天空，對他來說是個清新的體驗。他喜歡每天躺臥在花園一隅看著白雲變動，回想急促幻變的世代，想起香港，掛念舊事，因而觸發起這次作品展的主題構想《外貌早改變，處境都變……》。
來到2024年的今天，迪嘉於倫敦舉⾏⾸次個人作品展《浩瀚煙波裡》，事隔兩年帶來後續篇，由出發地到目的地，將截然不同的環境、節奏和文化⽣活一一記錄下來，當中更記敘了他對改變的領悟。同樣以梅豔芳廣東名曲《似水流年》裡的歌詞為展覽命名，與2022年的個展相呼應，由過往廣闊天空裡的浮雲，到今天的一縷輕煙，在聚散的情懷中反思如何自處。「我們往往希望美好的人和物都能永垂不朽，但事實是凡事都有定時，緣起緣滅，有得必有失，這是自然定律，但人總要經歷過才明白，在煙消雲散之後，究竟有什麼會永留心間？」
過往多以中西融合和幽默色彩為手法的他，來到另一階段，此次集合兩年共二十多件作品，以畫作為主透過色變化記錄過程中的變與不變，取材由潮流文化、動漫人物到實體產物，色調由灰白到繽紛，作品充分展現他心中對「時間」的領悟，盼望透過畫作寄語人生「順其自然，愛要及時，活在當下」。
Please briefly introduce yourself.
I am TikKa, an artist from Hong Kong. I have previously created works that blend Eastern and Western cultures, primarily focusing on paintings. I have also collaborated with commercial entities on art projects. My works have been exhibited in solo exhibitions and group exhibitions in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Paris.
請簡單介紹自己
我是來自香港的藝術家，迪嘉，以往創作東西方文化融合的作品，作品主要以畫作為主，亦有與商業單位合作藝術項目，在香港、星加坡、巴黎等地方舉行個人展覽及參與聯展。
What are the differences between creating art in the UK and creating art in Hong Kong?
The biggest difference is a change in mindset. Moving from Hong Kong to live in the UK has brought about significant changes in all aspects of life. Regarding artistic creation, this impact has expanded the creative space, enriching ideas and inspiration compared to before.
請問在英國創作,同埋以往在香港做創作有什麼分別?
最大的分別是心態上的改變，因為由香港移居到英國生活，生活上所有一切和以往不同，就藝術創作而言，這種衝擊令創作的空間大了，想法和靈感也比以前豐富。
What is the theme of this exhibition?
The theme of the exhibition revolves around impermanence and change. It reflects the changes experienced in Hong Kong over the past few years, including dispersion and adjustment to entirely different living environments. Facing change, the exhibition explores the realization of impermanence. Clouds, smoke, and similar elements symbolize emptiness, change, and dissipation. It questions how we should approach all these changes, both tangible and abstract.
今次展覽主題是關於什麼呢?
展覽的主題是無常、改變，經歷了香港這幾年間的變化，經歷離散、調節，生活的環境完全不同，面對改變，人和事本來的存在到消失，對改變無常的領悟。以雲、煙等代表虛無、變化、消散。我們的文化、創造的物質、固有的價值觀等所有實體和抽象的東西，都會隨着時間改變或消失。那麼我們應該用什麼態度去面對這一切的改變？這就展覽所帶出的訊息。
The exhibition features two series of works, one in grayscale and the other in colour. Why this concept?
This exhibition combines two phases of the same series of works, created at different stages after living in the UK for three years. The first phase, in grayscale, reflects adaptation to change, experiencing lows, and contemplating impermanence. It suggests that despite facing the bleakness of impermanent changes, there is an eternal belief or value deep within us. This stage prompts reflection on the impermanence of worldly affairs.
In the subsequent phase, the works gradually become colorful, symbolizing a perspective on life derived from contemplating impermanence and change. Knowing that the world is constantly changing, should we not cherish what is before us, our loved ones, friends, etc., as everything can change or disappear in an instant?
展覽入面有兩個系列嘅作品，一面係用灰色調，另一邊係彩色，點解會有呢個諗法呢?
這次結集兩個階段的同系列作品，包括是剛剛到達英國居住了3年後兩個不同階段同一系列的創作，從開始時適應改變，經歷低谷，思考無常而做出第一階段的灰白色系列，我認為即使面對灰白等蒼白的無常改變，我們內心深處都有一種信念或價值觀是永恆不變，而這種階段是一個提出世事常變的思考。
到另一階段，漸漸變為彩色，彷彿是我從無常、變化等定律思考出一種人生的價值觀，一種生活態度，既然知道世界每分每秒都在變，我們是否應該好好珍惜眼前東西、親愛的，親朋等等，因為所有事物下一秒都會改變、消失。
Pumpkin
Acrylic with gold leaf on canvas
60 x 60 x 3.8 cm
How do you choose the elements for your creations? For example, the grayscale series features cartoon or movie characters, while the color series focuses on objects. Do they hold any special significance for you?
In the past, the works in the first phase were primarily based on my own experiences and the cultural influences of anime, movies, etc. It was a process of self-reflection. In the subsequent phase, I expanded the focus to encompass the cultural experiences of the masses, incorporating memories of the past, hopes for the future, and the steps we take in life. Everything we encounter in the past has shaped who we are today, but every moment of ourselves is also changing, just like every person and environment.
如何選擇創作嘅元素?例如灰色系列係卡通或電影人物,彩色系列就係物件，是否對你有特別意義?
過去第一階段的作品都是集中在我自身的經歷，而是所看過的喜歡過的動漫文化，電影等等作為主軸是一個自身檢視的過程，去到另一階段我就將自身擴闊為大眾用大眾的文化代入人生當中，包括過去、回憶、未來的盼望、我們的每一步等等，每一秒都在變化過去我們所接觸到的東西早就今天的我，但每一刻的我其實都也在變化，每一個人、環境都一樣。
Is there any special meaning behind the incorporation of gold and gold leaf in each piece?
In each painting, different color tones are used, but a portion of the entire series is adorned with gold leaf. Gold, among the myriad of colors, symbolizes preciousness and rarity. These golden hues represent our core values, or amidst the impermanent changes over time, there are certain beliefs and values that remain eternal. Just as humanity throughout history has pursued truth, goodness, and beauty, these are our most precious possessions. Every object, culture, and so forth, carries its enduring core values, which can stand the test of time. Truth, goodness, and beauty are defined by everyone’s hearts.
見到每件作品都有金色及金箔融合在其中，是有什麼特別意思嗎?
每一幅畫色調顏色取材不同，唯一整套系列裏邊有一部份是貼上金箔，「金」在眾多顏色之中代表了珍貴、罕有，這些金色就是代表我們的核心價值，或者在無常的變化當中萬物隨時間經歷而改變，但有一些信念、價值觀是保持永恆不變，就像人類歷史之中追求真善美，這就是我們最珍貴的東西，每一件物件、文化等等都有着他們永恆不變的核心價值，可以歷久常新，真善美是由大家心中定義。
What messages do you hope the audience will receive from the exhibition?
Through familiar cultural references, the exhibition conveys weighty messages to the audience. I believe everyone has their own thoughts on change and impermanence. The exhibition aims to remind everyone to live in the moment and cherish what they have.
About the Artist: Tik Ka
Tik Ka is a Hong Kong-born artist whose creative platform is mainly his paintings. He started his artistic , illustrator career in 2006 and has held solo and group exhibitions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Paris, New York, London and Milan. In 2016, he created the “Tik Ka From East” series, in which he reinterpreted the popular culture of Europe, America and Japan (movie, animation, Internet culture, etc.) in a Eastern style. The elements are very wide, including New Year pictures, ink painting, pottery, calligraphy and so on. Along the way, his art works often combine characteristics of Chinese and Western cultures, and has developed into a unique genre of pop art. Drawing inspiration from the clouds. Throughout his works, he had been a master in incorporating Easten and Western culture in a comical manner, until an epiphany to return to the simplicity of the basics: “An attempt to filter out all distractions and embrace my own interpretation in the midst of fickleness.”
Exhibiton:
2023 EastWest – Singapore
2022 Constant as the Sky…… -Hong Kong
2021 Tik Ka From East 5th anniversary (Solo Exhibition) – Hong Kong 2020 KIndEvil (Solo Exhibition) – Online Exhibition
2017 Chizi (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong
2016 Chizi (Solo Exhibition) Beijing
2016 Tik Ka From east solo exhibition – Taiwan
2015 Chinese StarPot (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong. Taipei. London
2015 The Next Station is .. • New Beginning (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong 2013 So Ha arrive en France (Solo Exhibition) Pairs
2013 Continuation of the doomsday Clock (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong 2012 Tik Ka (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong
2011 Journey to Fairyland (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong
2010 Journey to Your Soul (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong
2009 Journey to the East (Solo Exhibition) Hong Kong