In more ways than one, Hong Kong, as we know it, is vanishing.
From grand Hakka mansions, century-old European villas to the iconic Shaw Studios, the heart of the Hollywood of the Far East, gorgeous heritage buildings in Hong Kong are being bulldozed and redeveloped into more shopping malls and high-rise luxury apartments, as we speak. Urban explorers are racing against the clock to document and preserve the collective memory of the city’s vanishing heritage before these historic buildings are lost forever.
Hong Kong holds the spot as the priciest property market in the world, and is well known for its shortage of land. The list of heritage buildings that fell to the wrecking ball or to be revitalized beyond recognition grows ever longer. In Vanishing Hong Kong, discover exquisite images of Hong Kong’s heritage buildings, many of them behind locked doors and gates or high razor-wired fences, out of reach to most people, captured by award-winning photographer and Hong Kong native P H Yang.
The exhibition showcases over 100 photos of Hong Kong’s rarely seen abandoned and deserted heritage buildings, many of which are Grade I historic buildings. Over 20 photos from two invited artists/ photographers, Sacha Yasumoto and Dickie Fowler, are also included. In addition, with participation from the urban exploration community, 43 photos were selected for the photo exhibition by four distinguished judges from more than 120 submitted photos.
Vanishing Hong Kong aims to enhance awareness of the disappearing historical buildings and heritage in Hong Kong as well as the role of urban explorers in recording and conservation.
Highlights of P H Yang’s work Bio
Professional photographer. After decades working as an IT professional in senior technical and management positions with multinationals such as IBM, HP and HSBC, P H Yang changed tack and chose to pursue his life-long passion in photography.
Award-winning photographer Yang is an exhibited and published artist in North America and Asia. His work is frequently featured on the front page of international media – CNN; CrowdSpark (formerly Newzulu, Citizenside) and Demotix; San Francisco Chronicle; Hong Kong Free Press; Hong Kong 01; Hong Kong Economic Journal Monthly; Ming Pao; Apple Daily; TVB…
His work is licensed by Lonely Planet travel guides and Dragonair’s in-flight magazine Silkroad. Yang has held over 10 solo exhibitions in San Francisco, Washington DC, Beijing and Hong Kong including PMQ’s opening photo exhibition.
Yang won the Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize in 2015.
17 August 2021 – 29 August 2021 Mon –Sun: 9am to 8pm
Asia Society, Hong Kong, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong
