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South China Morning Post

Hong Kong dad inspires memories with sketches Sai Ying Pun

What began as Billy Wong Yin-chun's daily commute to Sai Ying Pun with his nine-year-old daughter became an artistic journey when he started sketching parts of the neighbourhood. 'Being a full-time dad made me feel a bit lost, so I started looking for something creative to do. I thought, why not take a sketchbook and draw Sai Ying Pun?' the 47-year-old parent recalled. With pencil, ink pen and watercolour, his artwork depicts old shops like Cheryl's Bakery, where his daughter enjoys jelly cups. Others feature Bonham Road's stone walls and ancient trees, the old mental hospital on High Street, as well as flower shops and Thai grocery stores. Wong had his first exhibition earlier this year at Knock Knock, a bookstore in Sai Ying Pun. 'This is something I wanted to do when I was a child. I never imagined that at this age, in my forties, I'd suddenly be able to fulfil this dream,' said Wong, who previously worked as a graphic designer. The view of a local father Wong has been drawing since childhood, but his first painting of Hong Kong was a gift for his brother – an expansive view from Mount Davis overlooking Victoria Harbour. 'My first sketches were for my younger brother and cousin after they emigrated. I wanted to send them something to remind them of home,' he said. Before starting his current project, Wong was feeling lost after giving up his job to be a full-time father. But now, with his paintings, he has built friendships with other stay-at-home dads and found a new purpose that works with his schedule for taking care of his daughter. Community connections Wong has also connected with local residents who have told him about their memories of Sai Ying Pun. 'One elderly saw my painting of the hospital where he was born; he was deeply touched. He even asked to take a photo of it,' the artist shared. 'I realised that my paintings, which are personal memories, could also become someone else's.' Of all his works, Wong's favourite features the Hong Kong Resource Centre for Heritage. 'It's a beautiful spot, but because it's tucked away and surrounded by trees, not many people notice it. Depending on the time of day and season, the scene changes,' he said. 'It's one of those hidden gems.' Word power depicts: an artistic or descriptive representation of something emigrated: to have moved to another country to live expansive: to cover a wide area fulfil: to achieve a dream or goal Handy phrases hidden gems: valuable things that are not widely known stay-at-home: a parent who takes care of their child or children full-time Quiz time Stop and think: Has a picture or drawing ever brought back an important memory for you? 1. Who did Wong dedicate his first sketches to? 2. Which Hong Kong neighbourhood is Wong highlighting in his current project?