The Works：World Press Photo 2016, "Threads of Sisterhood", artist couple Claude & Francois-Xavier La

We look at two very different photo exhibitions, one that looks at some of the most pressing issues in the world, and the other that tells a more intimate story. We’ll start with a macro view and look at this year’s World Press Photo exhibition. The 150 images on show at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre till next Wednesday were selected from more than 82,000 entries worldwide. Both the photo of the year and first prize stories in the general news category are compelling images of the migrant crisis.
From news of the world, we look at the personal story between artist Kurt Tong and a person that care for him when he grew up, his majie or nanny Mak Ngan Yuk. Family origin and history, the story of Hong Kong in the last 100 years and Asian diaspora are topics that Tong has been focusing in his work.
Francois-Xavier Lalanne once said, “The Supreme art is the art of living.” Their whimsical and surrealist artworks or objects defy categorisation, Claude Lalanne said, “They are not furniture, they are not sculpture, call them “Lalannes.” Functionality is also a key element: their objects can be touched, used, sat or even slept in. The husband and wife team shared a passion for animals and nature. Their oeuvres consists other than their iconic sheep, hefty wild and domestic animals, flora and fauna and nature. On show at Ben Brown Fine Arts includes new works from Claude’s studio and several iconic pieces of her late husband’s as well.
From Vancouver to now based in Hong Kong, musicians Crystal Leung and Patrick Lee formed a duo called Common Page. With an up-coming show at the Fringe Club this Friday, they are here with 藝坊星期天’s presenter, Billy Lee.