Hong Kong Design Centre is presenting Luminous Neon, a free exhibition running from until January 31, at DX design hub in Sham Shui Po. The exhibition explores neon art as both a design practice and a cultural marker deeply tied to Hong Kong’s identity.
Neon art refers to works created using hand-bent glass tubes filled with gas and lit by electricity. In Hong Kong, neon signage once defined the city’s streetscape. From small family businesses to cinemas and restaurants, glowing signs became a visual language that shaped how the city looked, moved, and felt. They are not just advertisements, but symbols of ambition, craftsmanship, and urban energy.
In recent years, many of these signs have been taken down due to safety concerns, redevelopment, and changing regulations. As a result, a familiar part of Hong Kong’s night-time landscape has been disappearing, raising questions about heritage, memory, and what is lost when the lights go out.
Luminous Neon brings this conversation into focus by showcasing restored historic signs alongside new two- and three-dimensional neon artworks. Together, they highlight the skill of neon craftsmen and the lasting influence of light-based design on the city. The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on neon’s past, its shrinking presence today, and its continued relevance in shaping Hong Kong’s visual culture.
Header Image Credit: Hong Kong Design Centre