Exhibition Text

“Whether ‘FREEDOM’ is a sensitive word in Hong Kong can provide certain insights into Mick's graffiti career.

Among numerous graffiti artists, he has been systematically hunted down. This artist, who has over twenty years of experience illegally painting in public spaces and streets using spray paint and markers, was charged with criminal damage in 2023 for writing the word "freedom" in various locations throughout Hong Kong. He faced fines and underwent probation, which brought both positive and negative impacts to his graffiti career.

During a low point in his life, he received attention from supporters and online communities, marking the first chapter of his creation using the tag “ freedom+$$” The negative energy stemming from the feelings of loss and frustration after his arrest further motivated Mick, who has grown up in grassroot environment, to expand his creativity from street graffiti to other art mediums and presentation platforms.

From September to mid-October 2024, he planned his first solo exhibition (a consignment event) at the upper level of the Hunter Bookstore in Sham Shui Po, transforming his anger and indignation after being arrested into creative power. He showcased works that combined painting with graffiti elements across various medium, while also participating in numerous media interviews focused on social issues, revealing the identity of the anonymous graffiti artist and facing the public with his true self to promote his artistic creations. The emotional expressions conveyed in his works mostly reflect a sense of freedom being restricted and accusations against society. These are often labeled as negative attitudes by mainstream society. Still, they also allow Mick's creative ideas to gain more public attention, connected to the local culture of Hong Kong, forming the second chapter of his creation using the tag (Freedom + $$).

“$$ Will ALWAYS LOVE YOU” This exhibition you are viewing is the third chapter after he began using the (Freedom + $$) motif in his creations.

Mick attempts to channel the positive energy he can output, focusing on the quick feeling akin to the process of street graffiti, blooming on canvas and street signs, letting colors tell stories, arranging color collisions to stimulate the eyes, and leading a group of animals created during last year's sticker-making process, transplanting the symbolic concept of [freedom] into tangible forms for play, capturing the joy felt during the graffiti process, reminding himself and the viewers that amidst chaotic times and societal changes, even when living in the pursuit of freedom and money feels pressing, one must understand the importance of finding joy in hardship and connecting with the love within.

In Mick’s mind, the $$ can simultaneously be a symbol of freedom; The tag $$ and freedom are an inseparable composite concept, similar to the mixed characters in Taoism, and like the combined characters of [Hong Kong - Add Oil].

Some believe that pursuing enough money leads to freedom, some feel that freedom is obscured by $$, some interpret it as financial freedom, some feel fear, and some deeply resonate. The essence of this symbol has always been to pose infinite questions….

Have you seriously thought about: What is freedom? What is money? Do you really love freedom? Or do you prefer $$?

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If you fervently pursue freedom and $$, Freedom and $$ will always love you.