In November, visual artist Vera Chiu will host possibly her last Hong Kong exhibition at Hiding Place. With the title “Can Touch This/Can’t Touch This”, she wholeheartedly shares her thoughts and emotions about living in this metropolitan city with the audience.

The exhibition will not only showcase artworks that Vera created on the island of Peng Chau but also review her life in Hong Kong by reconstructing and reviewing her previous pieces. She reflects on her emotions by presenting her work publicly and honestly facing the audience. Emotions that are dealt with, neglected, or locked down are all splashed onto the canvas. She tells stories of happenings and sentiments that can easily be ours. To stay or to leave, the focus is on what we bring along on our journey.

Vera will distinguish between “Can Touch This” and “Can’t Touch This” artworks. Before saying her farewells, she wants her audience to finally enjoy the fun of going to an art exhibition. Works within the “Can Touch This” series welcome viewers to literally touch the works to satisfy their curiosity whilst visiting an art show.

As a creative, the categorisation is her way of understanding and admitting that there are things in life that cannot be set free or adequately expressed. It allows her to start her new life consciously. At the same time, as a person with mindfulness practice, “Can’t Touch This” is her way of promising herself and her viewers that she will face topics that can’t be touched. She encourages buyers of the “Can’t Touch This” series to keep in touch with her. When she is ready to face the significance of these artworks, she will give a full explanation as to what the artworks represent.

This exhibition might very well be the artist’s way of renewing her connections with her troubled hometown before she leaves. Who says those who choose to leave have fully withdrawn?

Gallery address: G/F, 27 Po Tuck Street, Sai Wan (nearest MTR station: HKU A1/B2 exit)