Sharmaine Kwan 關舒文

About

Sharmaine Kwan is a multi-disciplinary artist from Hong Kong who has a deep love and appreciation for the city's history of neon signs. Hong Kong was famous for its stunning neon signs that adorned the streets, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. At its peak in the 1980s, there were over 100,000 neon signs in Hong Kong, making it one of the largest neon cities in the world.

However, as the city continued to modernise and regulations changed, many of these signs began to disappear, leaving only memories behind. Determined to preserve the essence of neon, Sharmaine has dedicated herself to creating a contemporary approach to neon art through various types of media, from traditional glass and LED neon lights to digital art, painting, sculpture, new media, and installation art.

Her pieces explore and reflect the urban environment, the city and its culture, and the impact of change. By celebrating the beauty of this iconic art form with a contemporary approach, her works breathe new life into the spirit of neon, creating a modern twist that is inspired by the memories of Hong Kong's golden neon era while embracing the excitement and possibility of the future.

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Sharmaine Kwan attained a first class honours degree in Fine Art in the UK. She is also the author of 'Traditional Chinese Painting - Masterpieces of Art' and 'How to Paint - Made Easy'. She often engages in art commissions and collaborations with international brands, organisations and events (YouTube, Victoria Harbour, Henderson Land Development, Cathay Pacific etc.). Her work has been shown worldwide in different locations such as London, Moscow, Portugal, South Korea, Macedonia, Beijing, Poland, and Hong Kong. She has also received awards from international art competitions and has participated in overseas artist programmes and residencies.