Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Sunday, January 29
    • About Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Submit PR & Events
    • The HK Support Hub
    Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
    The HK HUB
    • What’s On

      Digital Art : InnerGlow 2023 Returns To Tai Kwun Until February 12

      2023-01-28

      What’s On: The Best Family-Friendly Events This Month

      2023-01-16

      What’s On: The Most Exciting Events For All This Month

      2023-01-16

      7 Chinese New Year Events In Hong Kong

      2023-01-05

      New Year’s Eve Parties In Hong Kong To Wave Goodbye To 2022

      2022-12-15
    • Eat & Drink
      1. Bars
      2. Food
      3. Restaurants
      4. Reviews
      5. View All

      Where To Drink Mulled Wine & Buy Hot Wine Spices In Hong Kong

      2022-11-28

      15 Awesome Happy Hour Deals Around Hong Kong

      2022-10-31

      15 Great Restaurants & Bars To Visit In Causeway Bay

      2022-09-15

      Coa Named Asia’s Best Bar For 2nd Consecutive Year; 7 More Hong Kong Bars Appear In Top 50

      2022-05-05

      10 Lucky Chinese New Year Foods, Snacks & Treats

      2023-01-12

      Guide To Poon Choi & Where To Buy The Lunar New Year Dish In Hong Kong

      2023-01-03

      34 Best Brunches With Free-Flow Options To Try In Hong Kong Over The Weekend

      2022-12-20

      Christmas Afternoon Teas In Hong Kong To Enjoy With A Loved One

      2022-12-05

      34 Best Brunches With Free-Flow Options To Try In Hong Kong Over The Weekend

      2022-12-20

      Hong Kong’s New Restaurant & Bar Openings In December 2022

      2022-12-12

      8 Christmas And New Year’s Eve Menus And Buffets To Enjoy This Festive Season

      2022-11-30

      Our 10 Favourite Restaurants In Quarry Bay

      2022-11-30

      Restaurant Review – Modern Chinese Vegetarian at Miss Lee

      2020-03-05

      Restaurant Review: Middle Eastern Brunch at FRANCIS, Wan Chai

      2019-12-04

      Restaurant Review: Hue, Modern Australian with Harbour Views

      2019-11-27

      Review: Micasadeco & Café, Langham Place

      2019-09-20

      10 Lucky Chinese New Year Foods, Snacks & Treats

      2023-01-12

      Guide To Poon Choi & Where To Buy The Lunar New Year Dish In Hong Kong

      2023-01-03

      34 Best Brunches With Free-Flow Options To Try In Hong Kong Over The Weekend

      2022-12-20

      Hong Kong’s New Restaurant & Bar Openings In December 2022

      2022-12-12
    • Lifestyle
      1. Beauty
      2. Fashion
      3. Entertainment
      4. Interviews
      5. Outdoor
      6. Shopping
      7. View All

      15 Amazing Day Spas & Massages You’re Going To Love In Hong Kong

      2022-12-29

      10 Best Hotel Spas In Hong Kong For Luxurious Massages & Spa Packages

      2022-04-26

      Our Review of LifeHub’s IV Drip Treatment For Glowing Skin

      2021-12-09

      Our Review Of EstheClinic’s OXYPURE Oxygenation Facial

      2021-11-18

      Vipop Founder Lenia Pérez On How The Latin American Eco Fashion Brand Was Born

      2022-12-20

      Hong Kong Fashion Show By Lumiere Runway Hits Haw Par Mansion On 26 Nov (And We Got You 4 VIP Passes)

      2022-11-10

      Vipop Gives Us The Lowdown On Sustainable Fashion & How To Spot Greenwashing

      2022-10-17

      16 Local Hong Kong Fashion Brands For Stylish Women, Men & Kids

      2022-02-02

      Calvin Harris, The Chainsmokers & Tiësto To Play At Creamfields

      2023-01-27

      Top 7 Escape Rooms In Hong Kong

      2023-01-06

      Clockenflap Line-Up: Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Convenience & Moderat Announced

      2022-12-09

      EDM Festival Creamfields Will Return To Hong Kong In 2023

      2022-11-21

      Vipop Founder Lenia Pérez On How The Latin American Eco Fashion Brand Was Born

      2022-12-20

      “There’s A Lot To Be Done When It Comes To Laws” Protecting Women And Sexual Minorities In Hong Kong, Says SCMP Editor Salomé Grouard

      2022-06-30

      Founder Of Africa Center Hong Kong, Innocent Mutanga: “It’s Time We Take Ownership Of The African Story”

      2022-05-23

      Brian Eagen Lau On Transfeminism: “In Hong Kong, I Get Stared At A Lot; In Thailand, I Don’t Experience That”

      2022-04-07

      13 Awesome Skateparks In Hong Kong

      2023-01-11

      10 Places To See Autumn Leaves In Hong Kong

      2022-11-14

      10 Camping Spots For All Experience Levels In Hong Kong

      2022-11-01

      11 Public & Private Outdoor Barbecue Pits You Should Visit In Hong Kong

      2022-10-31

      20+ Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals In 2022 To Shop Online Or In-Person

      2022-11-25

      The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide With 100+ Ideas From Hong Kong Brands

      2022-11-22

      Where To Buy Your Christmas Tree In Hong Kong This Year

      2022-11-22

      PayPal HK Welcomes New Users In November With Shopping Vouchers

      2022-11-16

      Calvin Harris, The Chainsmokers & Tiësto To Play At Creamfields

      2023-01-27

      13 Awesome Skateparks In Hong Kong

      2023-01-11

      Top 7 Escape Rooms In Hong Kong

      2023-01-06

      15 Amazing Day Spas & Massages You’re Going To Love In Hong Kong

      2022-12-29
    • News
      1. Covid Pandemic
      2. Local News
      3. Nature & Science
      4. Society
      5. Sport
      6. View All

      No More 5-Day Isolation Period For Covid Patients From January 30, Says John Lee

      2023-01-19

      Travellers From Hong Kong To Macau Exempt From Covid-19 Testing, Starting January 8

      2023-01-06

      Hong Kong Schools To Resume Full-Day In-Person Classes, Starting February 1, 2023

      2022-12-29

      End Of Vaccine Pass And Quarantine Orders For Close Contacts Of Covid Patients, From December 29

      2022-12-28

      Sham Shui Po Fabric Market To Close on January 31, After 45 Years Of Operation

      2023-01-19

      SPCA’s Dog-Walking Event, Dogathon, Scheduled For March 26

      2023-01-18

      Hong Kong Lunar New Year Fairs To Be Held After Two-Year Hiatus

      2023-01-14

      Wong Tai Sin Temple’s First CNY Incense Offering Returns After Three Years

      2023-01-13

      Tropical Cyclone Nalgae : T8 Issued At 1.40PM.

      2022-11-02

      Total Lunar Eclipse Visible In Hong Kong On November 8

      2022-10-27

      Hexagonal Rock Formations In Sai Kung Declared A Geological Heritage Site

      2022-10-25

      Tropical Cyclone NESAT : T3 To Be Issued Between 10AM And Noon Today

      2022-10-17

      Hong Kong Families’ Monthly Income Drops To $27,100, 13.2% Of Employees Work 60-Plus Hours A Week

      2022-09-01

      More Than 100,000 Residents Left Hong Kong In The Past Year

      2022-08-12

      Prison Gothic: A New Font Inspired By Hong Kong’s Inmate-Made Road Signs

      2022-07-30

      Human Trafficking: Hong Kong Still On Tier 2 Watch List Says Report, HELP NGO Raises The Alarm For Domestic Workers

      2022-07-30

      Eco-Friendly Green Power Hike To Take Place In January 2023

      2022-12-19

      Hong Kong’s First Mountain Bike Practice Ground Opens In Lantau

      2022-12-17

      Hong Kong’s First Short Track Speed Skating Competition To Be Held On December 26

      2022-12-14

      Hong Kong Marathon Runner Quota Increased To 37,000

      2022-12-12

      Sham Shui Po Fabric Market To Close on January 31, After 45 Years Of Operation

      2023-01-19

      No More 5-Day Isolation Period For Covid Patients From January 30, Says John Lee

      2023-01-19

      SPCA’s Dog-Walking Event, Dogathon, Scheduled For March 26

      2023-01-18

      Hong Kong Lunar New Year Fairs To Be Held After Two-Year Hiatus

      2023-01-14
    • Family
      1. Activities
      2. Education
      3. Kids
      4. Pets
      5. View All

      What’s On: The Best Family-Friendly Events This Month

      2023-01-16

      Where To Meet Santa In Hong Kong In 2022

      2022-11-29

      11 Public & Private Outdoor Barbecue Pits You Should Visit In Hong Kong

      2022-10-31

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Lantau Island

      2022-09-28

      Hong Kong Schools To Resume Full-Day In-Person Classes, Starting February 1, 2023

      2022-12-29

      Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong Provides Innovative Modern Education Focused On Technology, Entrepreneurship & Sustainability

      2022-12-02

      ICHK Hong Lok Yuen Kindergarten & Primary Instils Love For Nature, Sense Of Global Citizenship

      2022-11-16

      14 Winter Camps In Hong Kong For A Stimulating Christmas Holiday

      2022-11-14

      14 Winter Camps In Hong Kong For A Stimulating Christmas Holiday

      2022-11-14

      29 Awesome Autumn Holiday Camps In Hong Kong For 2022

      2022-09-28

      14 Family-Friendly Restaurants In Hong Kong For A Yummy Time With The Little Ones

      2022-09-26

      11 Awesome Playgroups In Hong Kong To Prepare Your Toddler For Kindergarten & Beyond

      2022-09-12

      SPCA’s Dog-Walking Event, Dogathon, Scheduled For March 26

      2023-01-18

      Giant Panda An An Passes Away At 35

      2022-07-21

      Hong Kong Gets 12 More Pet-Friendly Parks

      2022-06-29

      Hong Kong To Introduce New Measures To Prevent Cruelty To Animals, May Require Cats To Be Microchipped

      2022-04-28

      SPCA’s Dog-Walking Event, Dogathon, Scheduled For March 26

      2023-01-18

      What’s On: The Best Family-Friendly Events This Month

      2023-01-16

      Hong Kong Schools To Resume Full-Day In-Person Classes, Starting February 1, 2023

      2022-12-29

      Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong Provides Innovative Modern Education Focused On Technology, Entrepreneurship & Sustainability

      2022-12-02
    • Culture

      The Cultural Guide To Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival

      2023-01-26

      A Cultural Guide To Chinese Lantern Festival, The Final Day Of CNY Celebrations

      2023-01-26

      Chinese New Year Displays: Where To See The Best Decorations & Installations In Hong Kong

      2023-01-18

      The Symbolism Of 8 Chinese New Year Fruits

      2023-01-16

      Your Complete Guide To Giving Lai See (Red Envelopes) During Chinese New Year

      2023-01-13
    • Sustainability

      Vipop Gives Us The Lowdown On Sustainable Fashion & How To Spot Greenwashing

      2022-10-17

      Greenwashing: How To Distinguish Between Real Sustainability Practices & Marketing Tactics?

      2022-07-11

      Vipop, Bringing Environmentally Conscious Latin American Fashion & Jewelry To Asia

      2022-07-04

      Where To Buy Environmentally-Friendly Clothing, Beauty, Home Products In Hong Kong?

      2022-07-04

      Eco-Fashion Advocate Sheryl Bolden’s Book ‘Sustainably Stylish’ Is A Guide To Building An Ethical Wardrobe

      2022-05-03
    • Wellness
      1. Diet
      2. Fitness
      3. Health
      4. View All

      Bust the Belly Fat: Nutrition for Healthy Weight Loss and Maintenance

      2018-02-27

      Hong Kong’s Top Gluten Free Restaurants and Cafés

      2014-12-01

      10 Muay Thai Studios You Should Visit In Hong Kong To Kick The Stress Away

      2022-09-29

      10 Amazing Yoga Studios In Hong Kong To Find Your Balance At

      2022-08-16

      KaiJai, Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats That Get Grippier As You Sweat

      2022-04-27

      Where To Go Rock Climbing and Bouldering In Hong Kong?

      2021-10-28

      5 Self-Care Trends To Look Out For In 2023

      2023-01-18

      What Is Occupational, Emotional, And Pandemic Burnout?

      2022-12-19

      Everything You Need To Know About The Hong Kong Vaccine Pass

      2022-09-23

      Chapter 3: A Story About Living With Gerascophobia (A Fear Of Growing Up)

      2022-08-15

      5 Self-Care Trends To Look Out For In 2023

      2023-01-18

      Collective Fitness, A Creative And Holistic Self-Awareness Experience

      2023-01-04

      15 Amazing Day Spas & Massages You’re Going To Love In Hong Kong

      2022-12-29

      What Is Occupational, Emotional, And Pandemic Burnout?

      2022-12-19
    • Travel
      1. Hotel Reviews
      2. Staycations & Hotels
      3. Travel Guides
      4. Travel To Hong Kong
      5. View All

      Review: Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong

      2022-02-09

      Review: Four Seasons Sayan, Bali

      2018-11-09

      Review: Weekend Escape At The Grand Lapa, Macau

      2015-10-02

      Review: Family Staycation At The Grand Coloane Resort, Macau

      2015-08-19

      20 Best Staycation Package Deals In Hong Kong For Your Next Special Occasion

      2022-12-05

      The Ultimate List Of Hong Kong’s Best 5-Star Hotels, For A Luxury Stay In The City

      2022-07-28

      12 Luxurious 5-Star Hotels In Manila, The Philippines’ Capital Region

      2022-06-08

      8 Best Budget-Friendly Hostels in Hong Kong

      2021-09-13

      What Are The International Covid-19 Testing Requirements For Passengers Departing Hong Kong?

      2023-01-03

      19 Best Travel Destinations To Visit In Asia-Pacific (With Entry Requirement Details)

      2022-10-05

      20 Places To Visit In Singapore And How To Get There

      2022-06-28

      The Traveller’s Guide For Exploring Palawan Island: What To See & What To Do

      2022-05-17

      Amber-Code Holders In Tour Groups Can Enter Theme Parks, Museums & Restaurants

      2022-11-07

      Hong Kong Officially Ends Hotel Quarantine, Replaces It With 3-Day Medical Surveillance

      2022-09-23

      Travelling To Hong Kong Checklist: What Are The Rules To Enter The City?

      2022-08-12

      Travellers Who Are Currently In Quarantine Can Be Discharged On Day 3 Starting Today

      2022-08-09

      What Are The International Covid-19 Testing Requirements For Passengers Departing Hong Kong?

      2023-01-03

      20 Best Staycation Package Deals In Hong Kong For Your Next Special Occasion

      2022-12-05

      Amber-Code Holders In Tour Groups Can Enter Theme Parks, Museums & Restaurants

      2022-11-07

      19 Best Travel Destinations To Visit In Asia-Pacific (With Entry Requirement Details)

      2022-10-05
    • HK Living
      1. Around HK
      2. Essential HK
      3. Neighbourhoods
      4. Work
      5. View All

      50 Interesting Things You Must Do In Hong Kong

      2022-04-21

      10 Awesome Gazetted Swimming Pools For Olympic Pools, Water Slides & Kids’ Facilities

      2021-10-07

      Your Guide To Nan Lian Garden & Chi Lin Nunnery

      2021-09-23

      French May 2021 Imagines A New World Full of Art And Fantasy… and Gastronomy!

      2021-04-30

      10 Best Serviced Apartments in Hong Kong With A Home Away From Home Feel

      2022-12-14

      6 Strawberry Farms To Visit For Picking Season In Hong Kong

      2022-12-01

      10 Places To See Autumn Leaves In Hong Kong

      2022-11-14

      42 Best Smartphone Apps In Hong Kong You Must Download

      2022-08-18

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Sai Kung

      2022-12-28

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Tai O Fishing Village

      2022-12-19

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Tai Hang

      2022-09-22

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Exploring Kennedy Town

      2022-06-30

      Bela Offices, Affordable Luxury Serviced Offices In Central And Sheung Wan

      2022-11-03

      How To Find The Right Office Rental In Hong Kong

      2022-10-11

      Top 15 Serviced Offices To Rent In Hong Kong For A Modern Workspace Experience

      2022-09-15

      Hong Kong Families’ Monthly Income Drops To $27,100, 13.2% Of Employees Work 60-Plus Hours A Week

      2022-09-01

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Sai Kung

      2022-12-28

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Tai O Fishing Village

      2022-12-19

      10 Best Serviced Apartments in Hong Kong With A Home Away From Home Feel

      2022-12-14

      6 Strawberry Farms To Visit For Picking Season In Hong Kong

      2022-12-01
    The HK HUB
    Home»Lifestyle»Interviews»Curious about life as an artist in Hong Kong?
    Interviews

    Curious about life as an artist in Hong Kong?

    The HK HUBBy The HK HUB2019-03-30Updated:2019-04-01No Comments7 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
    Eleanor McColl

    Eleanor’s studio has the peaceful, green views that people move to Lantau for, but is a world away from the hectic street life of Hong Kong that inspires much of her work. She paints using renaissance oil techniques, we saw one huge canvas in progress on our visit, and creates mixed media, collage and photomontage works. Besides this, Eleanor is always busy with an array of creative projects and also finds time to teach.

    Content of this article hide
    I asked her what inspires her about Hong Kong?
    Do you think that being an ‘outsider’ gives you a different perspective on Hong Kong?
    Is Hong Kong a good place to be an artist?
    Tell me some of the challenges you’ve faced as an artist here in HK?
    What does the future hold for you?
    mix medium work by Eleanor McColl
    A photo montage and an example of Eleanor’s ‘Hong Kong People’ series

    Eleanor grew up in Yorkshire, England but has been in Hong Kong for 20 years. After coming to the city straight from university for work experience at a youth arts festival, she quickly decided that Hong Kong was the place she wanted to put down roots.

     

    I asked her what inspires her about Hong Kong?

    All my art is created in response to my surroundings, and there’s always something visually interesting happening here. I love buildings, and Hong Kong has such a diverse range of architecture, from the glass and steel skyscrapers through to the little stilt houses in the outlying islands. Wherever I go, details will catch my eye, it’s really a never ending source of material to paint and sketch. I know it annoys my kids that we can’t walk down a street without me stopping to point out some interesting texture or unexpected colour, but I just can’t help noticing things wherever I go.

    I use a lot of photographs in my work, and will sometimes have a day of just wandering the streets and taking pictures stuff that fascinates me. I love going to Sham Shui Po, there’s so much happening there visually that it’s great inspiration. I also love streets like Gough Street, where there’s such a contrast between the fancier buildings and the old style dai pai dongs. The outlying islands have a completely different feel, but I love spending time exploring them. Hong Kong is changing so fast, I really feel drawn to try and capture it as it is right now.

     

    Do you think that being an ‘outsider’ gives you a different perspective on Hong Kong?

    I do think I find random things interesting that a local might not give a second thought. But I have to be careful where signage is concerned. When I first arrived I only saw the beauty in the signs and didn’t think about the meaning. I once made a huge piece of artwork without checking the translation and it read ‘Bone Doctor’, which as you can imagine is not that appealing. It was in a show and I was mortified that I hadn’t checked the translation. It could have been worse! The character may be beautiful but the meaning may not be.

    Mixed media collage

     

    Is Hong Kong a good place to be an artist?

    Hong Kong has been good to me. It’s a fantastic place to be an entrepreneur, which is how I started out, by founding and growing an art school for around 10 years. But although I love teaching and sharing my passion for art, I wasn’t finding time to create my own work, which was really frustrating.

    Since I took the leap to focusing on my own art, I’ve been really fortunate to find supportive galleries here Vanrensburg, Blue Lotus and Picture This (which has now closed but was the first gallery to show my work).

    Shows like the Asia Contemporary Art Show and the Affordable Art Fair are amazing opportunities for artists like me to reach a wider audience, and also to meet lots of art lovers in person.

    mini painted by Eleanor McColl
    Eleanor’s HK-themed car was designed for Lee Gardens Christmas display

    Last year I was asked to paint a car to exhibit at Lee Gardens as part of their London-inspired Christmas decorations. Quirky opportunities like this are out there in Hong Kong, which is great fun and another creative outlet for me. My ‘Ham Hockney’ pig is another example. The Sovereign Art Foundation (a local art charity) asked artists to decorate the pigs in their own style, and they’ll all be on display at Art Central.

    But the thing that’s made the biggest difference to me, is that there’s a strong audience of art lovers with a Hong Kong connection, who want pieces with Hong Kong themes for their homes.

    Ham Hockney by Eleanor McColl
    ‘Ham Hockney’ is on show at Art Central

     

    Tell me some of the challenges you’ve faced as an artist here in HK?

    I struggle with the networking side of things. I love meeting people but with 3 kids and a busy work schedule it’s hard to find time for it, and I do shy away from all this if I’m honest.

    It’s unfortunately an important part of the job and I’ve realised I can’t just hide away creating in my studio and posting the odd Instagram. It can be tough to keep putting yourself out there, but I’m slowly improving this.

    As I work with different media It’s taken a while for me to develop confidence to show all these works because I felt I should follow one direction only, but these days I worry less about other’s opinions.

    If I could give a piece of advice to younger artists coming up, it would be to encourage them to keep producing art every week. Small steps can lead you a long way and when you look back you realise how far you’ve come, but you need to keep going. I love looking back and seeing my journey and who knows what will happen next. Years ago I was impatient for everything to happen quickly and I felt frustrated, now I allow myself to believe in what I’m doing.

     

    What does the future hold for you?

    I’ll be at the Asia Contemporary Art Show in March and then at the Affordable Art Fair in May. I create new pieces for the shows, so it’s hard work, but also very exciting. As well as sharing my work, I get the chance to talk to the show’s visitors too, which I love.

    Bodinker's tattoos
    tattoos designed by Eleanor McColl, Leanne Claxton and Assia Bennani

    My other love at the moment is Bodinker, which is wearable art in the form of temporary tattoos all designed by artists. It’s been a fun creative outlet for me and also a chance to collaborate with other artists, which makes a nice change from working alone.

    And in the years to come I’m hoping to find time to create some pieces inspired by my travels outside Hong Kong.

     

    And with that it was time for me to leave Eleanor to get back to work, like many artists she’s under pressure at this time of year, but it’s all part of the fun of Hong Kong’s art month.

    If you’d like to see more of Eleanor’s work you can check out here website here. She’ll be at the Asia Contemporary Art Show from 29 March to 1 April and at the Affordable Art Fair from 17 to 19 May.

     


     

     

     

     

    Rate this post
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit WhatsApp
    The HK HUB
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Created by Hong Kong lovers for Hong Kong lovers, The HK HUB offers you a daily dose of stories, deals, and tips about this unique and amazing city. If you're looking for the best places to visit, to know more about the Hong Kong Culture, to find a cool restaurant or bar to chill with your friends, or an exciting thing to do over the weekend with your family, we've got you covered. The HK HUB opens the doors to Hong Kong.

    Related Posts

    15 Amazing Day Spas & Massages You’re Going To Love In Hong Kong

    2022-12-29 Wellness

    Vipop Founder Lenia Pérez On How The Latin American Eco Fashion Brand Was Born

    2022-12-20 Fashion

    Christmas Decorations: Where To See The Best Displays & Lights In Hong Kong?

    2022-11-28 Lifestyle

    Add comment

    Partners
    CCW banner
    banner coral hub hong kong
    compass offices side banner
    Vipop - Sustainable Fashion Shop
    tutor time international nursery and kindergarten in hong kong

    Subscribe to updates

    Open the door to Hong Kong and get your weekly dose of stories, deals and tips.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
    • About Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Submit PR & Events
    • The HK Support Hub
    • Directory
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2023 All Rights Reserved. Designed by Get Clicks.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.