Memories of old buildings in Hong Kong preserved by artist who sketches them before they are torn down
- Hong Kong’s historically significant buildings regularly fall victim to redevelopment. Artist Cynthia Lau means to keep them ‘alive’ in her sketchbooks
- Her pen, ink and watercolour artworks do more than document such buildings or the city’s old shops; they help connect past and present
When Hong Kong artist Cynthia Lau sketches an old building, she is doing more than just expressing her creativity. She is documenting a rapidly changing city.
“I find great pleasure in sketching old buildings and shops in Hong Kong,” says Lau, who in 2018 embraced art full-time and focuses on illustration, urban sketching, and community art. “They serve as a testament to the city’s rich history and culture.”
While Lau’s passion for art started at a young age, it was a sketching event a few years ago that opened her eyes to Hong Kong’s constantly changing landscape. In a city where space is a commodity and money is king, many old buildings and shops fall victim to redevelopment and urbanisation.
“The stories and memories associated with these buildings and shops are invaluable,” she says. “By sketching them, I gain an insight into the individuals and events that have influenced our city’s development.”
Lau’s social media accounts – she posts under the moniker Little Jade – offer a stunning collection of representations of Hong Kong cultural landmarks, including old tenements (tong lau), traditional cafes (cha chaan teng) and colourful street scenes that take the viewer on a stroll down memory lane.
“It’s important to capture their historical significance and beauty before they disappear,” she says.
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Of the much-loved buildings torn down over the years, Lau has captured many in one of her sketchbooks.
There’s the Lin Heung Tea House, a restaurant in Hong Kong’s Central district which closed in August 2022 after operating for 100 years, and the neon sign of the Leung Tim Choppers Factory that was a fixture in the Kowloon district of Sham Shui Po for more than 40 years until it was removed in early 2023.
“Sketching is an important way for me to both document and appreciate the beauty and history of the society I live in,” Lau says.
What makes Lau’s sketches so impressive is her attention to detail.
“Immersing myself in the scenes allows me to slow down and appreciate the little things that I may have otherwise missed,” says Lau, who works with pens, ink and watercolours.
Sketching, she says, gives her a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Hong Kong. She has captured Mr Au Yeung, who hand-makes traditional Chinese paper lanterns, and drew the facade of Biu Kee Mahjong, which for more than 50 years has sold hand-carved mahjong tiles.
“I hope to capture the city’s historical architecture and design, which may not be found in modern buildings,” she says. The unique features of older buildings include intricate facades and signage that reflect their rich history.
Sketching old shops, she adds, is a way to connect the city’s past and present.
“It allows me to document the changes taking place and learn the spirit and history behind each shop.”
The stories shared by shop owners during the sketching process add a deeper layer of meaning and connection to the experience.
“It’s not just about drawing or sketching something, but about the people who are part of it,” Lau says.
Those people include Yim Chiu-tong, whose hand-painted “Plumber King” advertisements showing his unique style of calligraphy can be seen around Hong Kong.
Another sketch shows 80-year-old calligrapher Mr Chan who, for more than a decade, has decorated red paper banners (fai chun) every Lunar New Year at a makeshift stall in the shopping district of Causeway Bay.
She dedicated one sketch to Wong Kwong（1915-2017), a hawker who sold ice cream and snacks in the Shek Kip Mei district for more than 60 years, earning him the nickname “Uncle Ice Cream”.
“He sold ice cream from 1pm to 10pm every day, and built a strong friendship with students and the neighbourhood,” says Lau.
She believes art has the power to bring people together, regardless of their background. More than a decade ago she started teaching art to people with special needs, since many of them struggle to find ways to express themselves.
“My goal is to impart my knowledge of art and to create an inclusive and supportive environment,” she says.
While people and places are her main focus, she admits she can’t help the occasional cat sketch, the subject of her 2019 exhibition, “Soul of Amber”.
“Hong Kong’s ‘cat-in-the-shop’ culture is a historically significant and well-known phenomenon,” she says.
“During a visit to an old medicine store, I met a pair of energetic cats and an enthusiastic shopkeeper. The cat-linked community really touched my heart.”
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Lau is also co-founder of DrawingBuddiesHK, an urban sketch group established in 2020 to unite those who share a passion for urban sketching as well as Hong Kong history and culture.
As for the most difficult sketch Lau has done?
“Sketching a Chinese temple is challenging due to the intricate details of its architecture, such as the sloping roof and ornate decorations,” she says. “You need a keen eye for detail and a steady hand.”
