Oikwan

Project Oikwan challenges the notion of urban preservation and archival of collective memory. Curators and artists are invited to co-curate and create multimedia art in various forms at Oikwan Barbers, which has existed in alleyway for over sixty years with references to the history and community of Wan Chai. Through this project, we hope to achieve the followings: - Re-imaging preservation and community through a series of exhibitions, guided tour and artists' talk. - Research and commentaries on the value of archiving nostalgia and fading urban narratives. - To experiment on how art could possibly create a new identity for an existing space, business and neighbourhood. - To develop a systematic methodology which can be applied to other spaces, districts, even cities and nations.

Wong Wei-him is the founder and chief of his Hong Kong-based architectural design practice In-between Architects. He is also a street photographer who uses a LeicaM6 camera to capture specific moments of daily lives in Hong Kong. His works, under different collections including ‘On the Waterfront,’ ‘Ferrytale’ and ‘Somewhere In-between,’ have been featured in different publications and shown in different exhibitions in Hong Kong and London. He has received awards and recognitions for select pieces of work. 2016.10     FotoFete by Asia Society Hong Kong - Finalist 2018.10     The Independent Photographer Street Photography Award 2018 - Editor's Pick 2019.01     National Geographic Wheelock Hong Kong Photo Contest 2018, City - Top 50 Finalist 2019.12     WMA Masters 2019/20 ‘Light’ - Finalist 2020.04     Italian Street Photo Festival 2020, Single Photo - Finalist 2021.09     C Type Magazine Open Call 'Survival' - Finalist 2022.10     Star Ferry • Sails with HK Together - The “Star” Ferry Photo Competition 2022 - Honorable Mention