The Works：Metal art @ Crafts on Peel, artist Wong Chun-hei & in the studio: violinist Patrick Yim

The art of metalwork made a major contribution to the development of the Bronze Age from roughly 3,000 to 1,000 BCE. Objects from that era recovered by archaeologists range from daily, decorative and religious objects to weaponry made out of metals such as iron, copper, bronze, silver, gold, and brass. Metalwork involves a variety of skills and techniques, including smelting, moulding, hammering, embossing, chasing, gilding and inlaying. The art of metalwork is the focus of an on-going exhibition and series of public programmes put together by Crafts on Peel, a charitable organisation that focuses on traditional craftsmanship.

With opportunities for travel either non-existent or limited over the past year by the Covid-19 pandemic, Wong Chun-hei has spent much of the time recreating on canvas the idea of “the experience of travelling” while being mostly confined to home. On show at Touch Gallery, “Indoor Travelling with Objects” showcases a series of paintings of his “travels” around the world by using Google Earth to create imaginary landscapes combined with different placement of objects.

Violinist Patrick Yim made his solo debut with his hometown orchestra, and one of America’s oldest, the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Sadly, since then, the Honolulu Symphony has had to declare bankruptcy and has risen from the ashes as the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, but Patrick has gone from strength to strength. Having performed in venues all around the world and with a wide range of musicians, he is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Music at Hong Kong Baptist University. He is preparing an upcoming solo recital in Tai Kwun’s new music programme, “Spotlight” and he came to our studio to tell us more.