Talk with Justin Wong
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We invite to a presentation by Justin Wong (Research Fellow ZCCE).
Followed by a discussion with Brenda Offe (Student ZHdK).
Moderated by Remko Tanis (Managing Editor, Asia Society Switzerland).
A collaboration between the Asia Society Switzerland and the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies (ZCCE).
Programme
18:00 Welcome by Christoph Weckerle, Director of the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies
Introduction by Remko Tanis, Managing Editor Asia Society Switzerland
18:15 Presentation by Justin Wong, Research Fellow ZCCE
18:45 Conversation between Justin Wong and Brenda Offe, moderated by Remko Tanis
19:30 Farwell and drinks
Please register here for the event
The 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (ELAB) Movement marked a turning point in Hong Kong’s history, sparking widespread protests and intensified control by the Chinese government. The 2020 national security law brought further suppression, triggering emigration, media shutdowns, and widespread self-censorship, especially within the creative sector. Political cartoonists and artists faced mounting pressure, with some removing critical works or ceasing production, as seen with Zunzi, a prominent figure in political cartooning.
Amid this crackdown, the 2019 protests became a showcase of creativity, particularly through political cartoons and graphic art. Unlike the physical installations of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, these visual works played a pivotal role in the decentralized protests, serving as tools for communication, mobilization, and documentation. Often labeled as “propaganda materials,” they reflected collective creativity in the absence of central leadership.
ZCCE has commissioned an article on this subject to UK based artist and cartoonist Justin Wong. The article explores the profound impact of visual art on the Anti-ELAB protests. It examines how artists collaborated, shared resources, and embraced an “open-source” culture, leading to the rise of hybrid spaces like the Lennon Wall and a new youth-driven aesthetic. By analyzing these works, the study highlights their role in amplifying the movement’s message and fostering a powerful sense of solidarity during a defining moment in Hong Kong’s protest culture.
This article will be published at April 22nd at www.creativeeconomies.com