Phantasms for Future Ecologies (2025)

Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong
In collaboration with Mikala Dwyer and Kristen Sharp
Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
Supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

In January 2025 I had the pleasure in taking part in 'Re: Tai Kok Tsui', an art, culture, community and urban revitalisation program, Tai Kok Tsui, West Kowloon, Hong Kong, managed by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC). The HKAC are also the umbrella organisation of the Hong Kong Art School (HKAS), our longstanding educational partner of over 27 years now. Mikala Dwyer, Kristen Sharp and I partnered with the HKAC public art team on a specific project 'Phantasms for Future Ecologies'.

Mikala developed a beautiful projected animation of the local Hong Kong Barn Swallow, a small bird that nests in the rooves of older Hong Kong buildings, increasingly disappearing due to urban redevelopment and a lack of newer design that accommodates for these birds. The Barn Swallow has become threatened, which is why we chose to draw our attention to this local bird population.

It was fabulous to participate in the opening launch of the ‘Re: Tai Kok Tsui’ Pavilion with Mikala’s work launched at the same time. There were many guests including the Australian Consulate representatives, as our contribution was supported by DFAT. We were both on stage speaking with the architect of the pavilion, one of the streetscape designers and another local performer as part of a panel discussion to launch the creative program.

My contribution to the project was to develop the ‘Citizen-Artists’ workshop with local families to develop creative social engagement aspects. We researched and workshopped the barn swallow by embodying them in the glamour of costumes that we made together! Arthur from the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, took the group on a research walk to find out more about barn swallow habitats and consider how we can support, protect and improve conditions for these gorgeous blue birds. Under the projection of the animation artwork, we paraded under the moonlight around the Tai Kok Tsui public square to highlight the struggle of the barn swallow and celebrate these birds as part of the wider Hong Kong ecology. The workshop was chaotic and creatively fun, with everyone having a good laugh amongst the commotion, whilst learning about a very small, but missed bird in the Tai Kok Tsui community!