From Longing To Belonging: Examining The Notion Of Belonging In Hong Kong And Poland

The collective memory, history, culture and even the taste and smell of a place constitute a sense of belonging - an intimate and familiar feeling that gives us a sense of security we human beings long for. However the reality is not necessarily a fond memory; rather, it is a mix of anger, laughter, love and hatred. While there is no doubt that we are all emotionally connected to the place we livein and grow up, our belonging might not be what we long for.

From Longing to Belonging is an on-going exchange project between Hong Kong and Gdańsk. The first part of the exhibition took place in ŁAZNIA Centre for Contemporary Art in 2014. Due to their complex political histories, people in Hong Kong and Gdańsk have a mixed emotional feeling towards their country. We hope to explore the sense of belonging with its rich historical and political background, straddling along a national and emotional state of mind, while finding narrative through various artists' works. The exhibition provides an opportunity for us to understand the complicity of the state of mind through going into the artists’ stories, and be more aware of what's happening around us.

Over the last two decades, Hong Kong has experienced changes and sometimes challenges socially and politically. Our city is no longer the same especially after the umbrella revolution. With the colonial past and unknown future signed off on the paper, where do these lead us to? Artists featured in this exhibition are leading ones with international exposure and experience. They have all established and matured themselves during these challenging times.

In Gdańsk’s history two myths stillclash, the myths about the city being either German or Polish. Back at the time of World War II almost the whole city was obliterated and its former citizens, Germans had to leave their homes. After 1945, the city was gradually rebuilt and repopulated by Polish from various regions. One of the few places that weren’t so devastated is Gdańsk Shipyard which turned out to be extremely relevant to the post-war history of Gdańsk and Poland due to frequent worker strikes, Solidarność movement and Lech Wałęsa. Gdańsk Shipyard cranes also became a symbol of Gdańsk.

Curators:
Ying Kwok, Jolanta Woszczenko

Artists:
Leung Chi Wo, Honorata Martin, Agata Nowosielska, Michał Szlaga, Tang Kwok Hin, Tse Yim On