Neon sign creation revives in Hong Kong thanks to young artists

The famous neon signs have lost steam in the streets of Hong Kong and the old masters did not know how to pass on the secrets of their trade, however A new generation of artists with global connections seeks to renew the art of fluorescent tubes.

Karen Chan, known by her stage name of Chankalun, has a long-standing fascination with the kaleidoscopic neon lights that covered the streets of Hong Kong with their warm reflections.

Chankalun says it was difficult for him to find someone to teach him how to make them.

The trade was dominated by teachers – “si fu” in Cantonese – who jealously guarded their knowledge even when neon was displaced by cheaper and more efficient LED lights.

“There are no guides or manuals”, dice. “The si fu are not going to transmit all the knowledge, they will only pass it on to their own descendants”, adds Chankalum to the AFP.

In addition, in the absence of vocations in their families, many took their secrets to the grave, he says.

“If you have a valuable skill or knowledge, you must share it so that it can stay alive”, expresses the 33-year-old artist. “Overprotection can mean the death of many jobs”, adds.

Secret office

Chan turned to the internet and traveled to cities like Amsterdam and New York to learn from artisans and artists. There he discovered a global community of neon fans and artists willing to share their knowledge.

“There is an open source culture among the new generation of artists”, he comments.

“Everyone posts their experiments or new findings on Instagram or Facebook, and everyone is willing to share … this knowledge”, Explain. “The old generations saw it as a secret”, holds.

Chan, the only Hong Kong woman working in a traditionally male trade, operates out of a studio in Jive Lau, a 38-year-old artist representing the new generation of neon benders.

Together they work the glass almost to the point of melting, to bend and blow the tubes into surprising shapes on blue flame burners that can reach 1,000 degrees Celsius.

Lau learned about the neon bending technique in Taiwan, where he says teachers are more willing to share their knowledge with strangers.

He also found a lot of help on the internet.

“I keep learning from online resources and watching videos”, Explain.

He currently offers workshops to a growing number of neon enthusiasts. “Education can help … promote the culture of neon, keep it alive”, dice.

The last creators

Chan’s current project is called The Neon Girl, and six masters of neon lights from around the world participate to create six specific pieces.

The work is far from the huge twinkling lights that adorned the sides of Hong Kong buildings, announcing everything.

Rather it has a modern but local vibe. “For neon to live … it needs other elements, and that is what I am doing as a new generation of neon artist”he explained.

Wait for the pieces “Break down the barriers or the perspective of what people think of neon, how it can expand so that you can really live in a new way.”

For her, bending neon glass is like an Olympic sport that requires strength, precision and flexibility.

Her stubborn perseverance allowed her to find a si fu, known as Master Wong, willing to train her.

“As I fell in love with this medium, I wanted to do it myself, that’s why I begged Master Wong and other Hong Kong creators but they refused to teach me”, he remembered

In 2018 he decided to learn on his own and enlisted the help of a glass sculptor who saw the creation of neon on YouTube and was able to explain the technique to him.

After producing an artistic piece in a week, he returned to Master Wong, an 80-year-old man who was reluctant to publicity. He was so impressed with her work that he accepted her as an apprentice.

“I think the neon masters in Hong Kong would never accept me as a true neon master”He admits, “but maybe as a neon artist, which is fine for me.” (I)