TUNG CHUNGER AGNES PANG BRINGS NEW MEANING TO THE OLD ADAGE OF ONE WOMAN’S TRASH BEING ANOTHER’S TREASURE WITH HER RECYCLED ART. ELIZABETH KEER MEETS THE FREE-SPIRITED ARTIST, EDUCATOR AND ENVIRONMENTALIST
PHOTOS BY Tal Shahar – www.magnificent-hkg.com
Agnes Pang is probably best described as a ball of energy, a phrase generally reserved for mischievous children, said facetiously. But she is, marching into Starbucks in Citygate decked out in a bright orange sweater and matching tutu-shaped skirt, sneakers completing the look. Her black hair is straight, and sharply cut bangs frame her face. If it weren’t for the frequent chuckles and constant smile, she’d look stern and unapproachable. She couldn’t be less so.
Agnes needs every ounce of that energy, even if she put the life part of work-life balance at the top of her list by opting out of the wealth-driven rat race ages back. Ten years ago to be exact, Agnes started an art studio for all-ages lessons, and immersed herself in creating art from what most of us would call garbage, largely from the weirder end of that spectrum – clam shells, wine corks, wire Champagne caps, the foam net on imported fruit. She started making a name for herself as a mixed-media artist. Prior to that, however, Agnes worked in public relations and with an art consultancy.
“I needed a break, and I started making art for myself,” she begins. “It was interesting and it made me happy. So I quit my job and opened Draw 2. There are a lot of art teachers in Hong Kong and I wanted to do something different.”
After earning a degree in fine arts from the University of Hong Kong, Agnes went on to study law (though she’s not a certified lawyer), and later earned a master’s degree in business. She also explored dance and drama, and admits to being the kid who hammed it up in the living room and entertained the family at holidays. “I like different things. My mind doesn’t stop. I considered a PhD many years ago… Maybe it’s time to go back to school,” she adds. See? This is why she needs the energy
ART FOR ALL
At the Wanchai-based Draw 2, Agnes committed to promoting creativity through recycled found materials, though that wasn’t the primary driver. Her initial aim was to get away from oil, acrylic and bronze, and prove that “art isn’t only what you see in a gallery. If it helps save the world too, then great. It’s a great side effect.”
The studio (closed now due to the pandemic) was a way for Agnes to spread the gospel of art for all (check out what she did at www.draw-2.com). She wanted to inject the concept of ‘learning’ about art with a more organic, hands-on vibe, rather than just what’s technically correct. That stuff’s important she concedes, but it’s not all there is.
“I think I’m popular for workshops because I’m not a ‘regular’ teacher. My workshops are like a show and I engage everyone to get them to give it a try – Agnes Pang
“You don’t learn a lot about art in schools in Hong Kong, it’s all sketching and perspective and so on. It’s quite boring,” she states in her signature flurry. “Everyone is an artist. Anyone can create art. The idea of ‘artist’ is very compartmentalised here and I want to stop people thinking like that. I enjoyed having kids come in the studio and learn creativity: Sit on the floor and do what they liked. And they did learn something, even if it was abstract,” she pauses for just a second. “Don’t worry about ‘good’ and ‘bad.’ I want people to enjoy the process of creating art.”
Agnes works from her home studio in Tung Chung, where she’s lived since 2006 with her husband, an IT professional. Now she can’t imagine living anywhere else, especially as an artist, though she did try. After her first visit she found she loved Tung Chung’s quiet, low-density living and relative lack of traffic.
“I loved it. It wasn’t Hong Kong,” she recalls. “I used to live in Pokfulam, and now I couldn’t move back. Actually, I did move back when my studio was open; I rented a flat to avoid the commute. I wound up coming back every night and wasting a second rent,” she adds with a laugh. “I can concentrate on my work here too. In Wanchai, everyone’s always dropping in or calling to grab coffee.”
Like most artists, Agnes admits to needing her own space, and plenty of it; something she was able to achieve at home even in lockdown. “My husband understands if I tell him to move to another room,” she says with a grin. “The whole apartment has canvases all over the place – and all he needs is a computer – but he’s used to it.”
ALL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
These past years, Agnes has made the most of her time both as an artist and educator. She works on government commissions for major holidays, as well as for shopping malls and corporate offices. She’s published numerous calendars – paintings of Tung Chung (2020), of Lei Yue Mun (2021), and of floral art made from foam nets (2021). She’s kept a chronicle of the changes at the Tung Chung Waterfront by sketching the construction sites. She’s had her work exhibited at PMQ, Lane Eight, Peak Tower among others, and at public spaces around the city.
Agnes’ most recent show, Uplifting Life, ran at KC100 Art Space in Kwai Hing through January 8. The title describes how she feels about making art these past 10 years – how she enjoys the whole process from collecting unwanted materials to creating art pieces. The colourful and innovative artworks, including the intricate Connect sculpture series, are made from foam nets, shells, twist ties and plastic bottles.
In typical Agnes-style, many deliver positive and encouraging messages; she hopes that, through her art, people will feel uplifted – and empowered to commit to protecting the environment. (For details on shows and merchandise, hit www.agnesrecycles.com.)
In between exhibitions and commissions, Agnes conducts corporate workshops designed to help staff open their minds and corporations meet sustainability goals, and in the past few weeks she’s run workshops with organisations such as BEA and developer New World. “I think I’m popular for workshops because I’m not a ‘regular’ teacher. My workshops are like a show and I engage everyone to get them to give it a try,” she massively understates.
She’ll concede that getting adults to indulge their untapped child-like creativity can be a challenge, but she does get it to emerge. To Agnes’ mind, some of that has to do with how much reprioritising of our jobs, lives and personal passions we’ve all been doing during COVID. “People are paying more attention to personal wants and needs. Everyone had the time to think, and we’re putting more value in personal fulfilment.”
Agnes finishes with a story about whipping out her sketchbook on the MTR, something she always has with her and which she prefers to killing time with over her phone. “People used to ignore me or look at me funny,” she recalls with one last chuckle. “But now they chat, and ask what I’m doing and marvel at how happy it makes me.” Preach, girl.