In the title of this exhibition, Wong used the words “stamen” and “pistil” in lieu of the commonly seen “flower”, deliberately chosen to serve as a metaphor for Hong Kong. “Stamen” and “pistil” refer to the male and female reproductive part of a flower respectively, highlighting the complexity of its nature. To Wong, the word “semi-permanent” is an embellished version of “temporary”, representing its intrinsic vulnerability and fragility. Thus, Wong utilises its characteristic as his personal reflection on the constitutional principle of “One Country, Two Systems”.

Wong’s last solo exhibition, “Whispers From the South”, sheds light on the communal memories and stories of ShenZhen drifters. This time however, Wong shifts his focus back to “Hong Kong”, which to him, is deemed as his eternal proposition. By actively avoiding falling into sentimentalism and its practices in depicting this issue, Wong employs the study of plant ecology and its changes to represent, or even uncover Hong Kong’s hidden histories. In comparison to consolidated and long-established stereotypes of Hong Kong, Wong goes through the process of disentangling local histories and way of life in the past, to investigate the origin and construction of the “Hong Kong identity”.  From the surface, Wong’s works depict plant ecology and its evolution. Meanwhile, underneath are wider implications of the development of Hong Kong from colonial times to post-colonial period, and how Hong Kong history is being constructed.

Opening reception: 2 December, 4-7pm

Gallery address: 1902, Sungib Industrial Centre, 53 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Wong Chuk Hang