The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival Joins Hands with Bulgari to celebrate Women’s Creativity and Achievements in the "Voices of Women" Photography Competition and Exhibition
(Hong Kong, 14 April 2015) 40 years after the United Nations designated 1975 as International Women’s Year, the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival focuses on the theme of "women" in many of its presentations. The Festival also organises the "Voices of Women" Photography Competition and Exhibition, which are part of the "Bulgari Stage for Voices of Women" sponsored by Bulgari. The "Voice of Women" Exhibition, held between 8 and 17 April, comprises 51 photographs selected from about 1,500 entries submitted by close to 600 female entrants from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan and Macau in the Photography Competition held between 2 February and 9 March 2015.
Females aged 15 or above from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan and Macau submitted photos on the themes of "Women’s Creativity" or "Women’s Achievements". All submissions were judged based on three criteria: relevance to and interpretation of any of the two themes; creativity exhibited in the photo; and technical merit of the photo.
"We are thrilled to be able to organize the ‘Voices of Women’ Photography Competition and subsequently stage this Exhibition, aimed at highlighting and celebrating the accomplishments and creativity of women, which often remain unnoticed and unacknowledged despite the active and successful participation of women in many spheres of life, their contributions and their success," said Ms Tisa Ho, Executive Director of Hong Kong Arts Festival. "We are pleased to have world-renowned Bulgari as the sponsor for the ‘Voices of Women’ Photography Campaign."
The Photography Exhibition is held at The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Central, Hong Kong from 8 to 17 April 2015.
The Exhibition Opening and Prize Presentation Ceremony was held on 9 April 2015, also at The Rotunda, Exchange Square. Members of the Final Judging Panel and representatives of the sponsors presented certificates and prizes to the 11 Winners (including 1 Gold Award, 1 Silver Award, 2 Bronze Awards and 7 Merit Awards).
The Gold Award is won by photographer Xiong Meng Fan, who is from Jiangsu Province, with her photograph "The Granny Who Teaches". Hong Kong photographer Lisa Liu’s photograph "Co-operation" won her the Silver Award. The Bronze Awards are awarded to "I am a Conductor" by Hong Kong photographer Chow Fun Kau and "Dutiful and Responsible" by Hong Kong photographer Angel Chan.
The Gold Award Winner Xiong Meng Fan, who is currently studying Photojournalism at Yangzhou University, said "this is a photo documentary of the Miao ethnic community in Dehang. The ‘left-behind’ children there are mostly raised by their grandparents. Through this photograph, I would like to celebrate the role of grandmother. One person raised two generations. I truly respect them."
Lisa Liu, the Silver Award Winner, is a graphic designer who had twice won awards from the Graphic Arts Association of Hong Kong, and a professional photographer. She said, "‘Co-operation’ was taken in a village in China. I was surprised to see this hand-operated grain thresher, as it was hard to imagine such a primitive tool is still in use today. I was very impressed and took a lot of pictures. Through this photo, I hope to manifest the spirit of devotion and respect, perseverance and diligence towards one's work, as exhibited by the old ladies, who I truly admire."
Angel Chan, one of the two Bronze Award Winners, is a nurse and an amateur photographer. "I am very happy to receive this award," said Ms Chan. "I hope that through this opportunity, the public can appreciate women’s contributions to society. I also hope that we can pay more attention to the elderly and give them more love and care. The grannies in the photo are dutiful and responsible; they work every day rain or shine. They are contributing to society in their own way."
Chow Fun Kau, the other Bronze Award Winner, is a primary school teacher who loves traveling. "‘I am a Conductor’ was taken in the Mainland," said Ms Chow. "The local women produce handmade noodles to help make ends meet. Usually they start working in the early morning around 3 or 4am, so that they can catch the bright morning sun to dry the noodles. As the quantity produced is small and no preservatives are added, the noodles are very popular with the locals and tourists. Traditionally women’s status was low and they were often oppressed in different ways. It is great that the themes of this photography competition are very clear and unconventional, and allow participants to celebrate women’s expertise in different domains."
The Final Judging Panel comprises 5 distinguished figures of diverse backgrounds, including:
1. Professor Fanny M.C. Cheung
Pro-Vice-Chancellor/ Vice-President, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Psychology, Co-director of Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies & Founder of Gender Research Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2. Mrs Loletta Chu Lo
Honorary Life President of Wai Yin Association
3. Ms Wong Wo-bik
Photographic Artist
4. Mr Antoine Pin
Country Managing Director – Greater China and Australia, Bulgari
5. Ms Tisa Ho
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Co-founder of WINGS (Women’s Initiative for Ageing Successfully)
Organized by the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the "Voices of Women" Photography Campaign is sponsored by Bulgari, with Hongkong Land as Venue Partner, Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd. and Garuda Indonesia as In-kind Supporters. All photographs exhibited in the "Voices of Women" Photography Exhibition were printed by Canon PIXMA PRO-1 in Photo Paper Pro Platinum PT-101. The Photography Campaign is a component of the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s "The Bulgari Stage for Voices of Women".
More details about the "Voices of Women" Photography Campaign are available on www.hkafvoicesofwomen.org and Facebook: www.facebook.com/hkafvoicesofwomen.
"Voices of Women" Photography Exhibition
Exhibition Date and Time: 8 – 17 April 2015, 10am – 8pm
Venue: The Rotunda, Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
About Hong Kong Arts Festival (www.hk.artsfestival.org)
Launched in 1973, the Hong Kong Arts Festival is a major international arts festival committed to enriching the life of the city. In February and March every year, the Festival presents about 140 performances. The Festival features the world’s top artists as well as stars of tomorrow and gives equal importance to great traditions and contemporary creations. The Festival also commissions and produces work in theatre, chamber opera and contemporary dance by Hong Kong’s own creative talents and emerging artists, a number of which have had successful runs in Asia after their Hong Kong premiere. The Festival also presents over 200 PLUS and educational activities that offer diverse arts experiences to the community as well as tertiary, secondary and primary school students.
The Festival is a non-profit organisation, with just under 30% of annual revenue from government funding, around 40% from the box office, and over 30% from sponsorships and donations from corporations, individuals, and charitable foundations.
Media Contact
Alex So (Hong Kong Arts Festival)
Phone : (852) 2828 4910
E-mail: alex.so@hkaf.org
The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival organises the “Voices of Women” Photography Exhibition 40 years after the United Nations designated 1975 International Women’s Year. The Exhibition comprises 51 outstanding photographs selected from about 1,500 entries received in the “Voices of Women” Photography Competition.
The Gold Award of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Xiong Meng Fan.
Photograph Title: “The Granny Who Teaches”
Photographer’s Description: “This photo shows a granny guiding her grandchildren on their homework. Children in the mountains are mostly left-behind children. The old granny takes care of her grandchildren all year round. Her hardships touch the viewer.”
The Silver Award of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Lisa Liu.
Photograph Title: “Co-operation”
Photographer’s Description: “Everyone has a different role to play. The most important thing is taking responsibility, and doing their best.”
One of the Bronze Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Chow Fun Kau.
Photograph Title: “I am a Conductor”
Photographer’s Description: “During the cold winter, women in the countryside are busy producing Gua Mian noodle to help make ends meet. Gua Mian noodle is a countryside cuisine in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Bright sunshine and strong north wind are necessary conditions for its production. ”
One of the Bronze Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Angel Chan.
Photograph Title: “Dutiful and Responsible”
Photographer’s Description: “The grannies are dutiful and responsible. They work every day rain or shine. Even the worst conditions cannot stop them from contributing to society.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Helios Zou.
Photograph Title: “Finding Myself”
Photographer’s Description:
“Using post-production techniques to form this picture
In life, the many different variations of me are the results of interacting with different people
Sometimes we are thinking sometimes we are jumping
An objective way to present the different states of myself”.
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Anyi Ren.
Photograph Title: “Dancer”
Photographer’s Description: “The light shines on her body, sketching a beautiful silhouette of a female dancer.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Lin Ming Fun.
Photograph Title: “The Woman Who Dries Noodle”
Photographer’s Description: “She performs the ‘pulling’ motion patiently, again and again. This old lady adroitly practices the soon-to-be-lost craft of noodle-drying and makes long noodle beds…Will there still be a chance to witness this a few years later ”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Cheryl Lee.
Photograph Title: “Harvest”
Photographer’s Description: “Face to the red earth and back to the sky, the woman harvests a year of hard work. The women who farm have no clean and beautiful clothing, no slender fingers, nor fair and smooth skin, but their contributions fill the granaries of their homes.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Connie Kong-wei Ma.
Photograph Title: “Rainbow in Her Heart”
Photographer’s Description: “Even though this picture only shows the back of a female photographer in a mosque, we can still feel her concentration and focus as she accomplishes her assignment – to capture this beautiful indoor rainbow.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Chung Pui Han.
Photograph Title: “The Joy of Women”
Photographer’s Description: “The ability to feed themselves and their families is the joy of women!”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Chow Pui Ha.
Photograph Title: “Heaven Rewards the Diligent”
Photographer’s Description: “While still a few months old, she already became the daughter-in-law of a Hong Kong farmer family, plowing and doing menial work. When the university was being built she carried cement. In the 70s, she went to England and washed dishes. Afterwards she opened a restaurant. In the 90s she returned. She has been thrifty her entire life, and in return her grandchildren are successful academically.”
Members of the Final Judging Panel and representatives of the sponsors photographed with the Winners of the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition at the Prize Presentation Ceremony on 9 April 2015.
Mr Antoine Pin, Country Managing Director – Greater China and Australia of Bulgari presented the award to the Gold Award Winner Ms Xiong Meng Fan of the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photo Competition, sponsored by Bulgari.
Mrs Loletta Chu Lo, Honorary Life President of Wai Yin Association, presented the award to the Silver Award Winner Ms Lisa Liu at the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Exhibition Opening and Prize Presentation Ceremony on 9 April 2015.
Ms Tisa Ho, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, gave a welcoming speech at the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival “Voices of Women” Exhibition Opening and Prize Presentation Ceremony on 9 April 2015.
Photograph Title: “The Granny Who Teaches”
Photographer’s Description: “This photo shows a granny guiding her grandchildren on their homework. Children in the mountains are mostly left-behind children. The old granny takes care of her grandchildren all year round. Her hardships touch the viewer.”
The Silver Award of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Lisa Liu.
Photograph Title: “Co-operation”
Photographer’s Description: “Everyone has a different role to play. The most important thing is taking responsibility, and doing their best.”
One of the Bronze Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Chow Fun Kau.
Photograph Title: “I am a Conductor”
Photographer’s Description: “During the cold winter, women in the countryside are busy producing Gua Mian noodle to help make ends meet. Gua Mian noodle is a countryside cuisine in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Bright sunshine and strong north wind are necessary conditions for its production. ”
One of the Bronze Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Angel Chan.
Photograph Title: “Dutiful and Responsible”
Photographer’s Description: “The grannies are dutiful and responsible. They work every day rain or shine. Even the worst conditions cannot stop them from contributing to society.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Helios Zou.
Photograph Title: “Finding Myself”
Photographer’s Description:
“Using post-production techniques to form this picture
In life, the many different variations of me are the results of interacting with different people
Sometimes we are thinking sometimes we are jumping
An objective way to present the different states of myself”.
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Anyi Ren.
Photograph Title: “Dancer”
Photographer’s Description: “The light shines on her body, sketching a beautiful silhouette of a female dancer.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Lin Ming Fun.
Photograph Title: “The Woman Who Dries Noodle”
Photographer’s Description: “She performs the ‘pulling’ motion patiently, again and again. This old lady adroitly practices the soon-to-be-lost craft of noodle-drying and makes long noodle beds…Will there still be a chance to witness this a few years later ”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Cheryl Lee.
Photograph Title: “Harvest”
Photographer’s Description: “Face to the red earth and back to the sky, the woman harvests a year of hard work. The women who farm have no clean and beautiful clothing, no slender fingers, nor fair and smooth skin, but their contributions fill the granaries of their homes.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Connie Kong-wei Ma.
Photograph Title: “Rainbow in Her Heart”
Photographer’s Description: “Even though this picture only shows the back of a female photographer in a mosque, we can still feel her concentration and focus as she accomplishes her assignment – to capture this beautiful indoor rainbow.”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Chung Pui Han.
Photograph Title: “The Joy of Women”
Photographer’s Description: “The ability to feed themselves and their families is the joy of women!”
One of the Merit Awards of The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition is won by Chow Pui Ha.
Photograph Title: “Heaven Rewards the Diligent”
Photographer’s Description: “While still a few months old, she already became the daughter-in-law of a Hong Kong farmer family, plowing and doing menial work. When the university was being built she carried cement. In the 70s, she went to England and washed dishes. Afterwards she opened a restaurant. In the 90s she returned. She has been thrifty her entire life, and in return her grandchildren are successful academically.”
Members of the Final Judging Panel and representatives of the sponsors photographed with the Winners of the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photography Competition at the Prize Presentation Ceremony on 9 April 2015.
Mr Antoine Pin, Country Managing Director – Greater China and Australia of Bulgari presented the award to the Gold Award Winner Ms Xiong Meng Fan of the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Photo Competition, sponsored by Bulgari.
Mrs Loletta Chu Lo, Honorary Life President of Wai Yin Association, presented the award to the Silver Award Winner Ms Lisa Liu at the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Voices of Women” Exhibition Opening and Prize Presentation Ceremony on 9 April 2015.
Ms Tisa Ho, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, gave a welcoming speech at the 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival “Voices of Women” Exhibition Opening and Prize Presentation Ceremony on 9 April 2015.