A new exhibition, "Ambiguously Yours: Gender In Hong Kong Popular Culture," features 90 works across various forms that address gender identity in Hong Kong.
A new exhibition, "Ambiguously Yours: Gender In Hong Kong Popular Culture," features 90 works across various forms that address gender identity in Hong Kong.
Courtesy of Yonfan Studio Company Limited
Homosexuality was illegal in Hong Kong until 1991, and same-sex marriage is still not recognized in Hong Kong law.
Cover of "City Magazine," Issue 173 (1991) —
Homosexuality was illegal in Hong Kong until 1991, and same-sex marriage is still not recognized in Hong Kong law.
Courtesy of City Howwhy Limited
The show focuses on pop-culture and artists who challenged gender identity in the 1980s and 1990s.
"Chungking Express" poster (1994) by Stanley Wong —
The show focuses on pop-culture and artists who challenged gender identity in the 1980s and 1990s.
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong
It includes costumes, film, photography, music videos, graphic illustrations and voice recordings.
Costume for Denise Ho's HOCC Live in Unity 2006 Concert (2006), by Eddie Lau —
It includes costumes, film, photography, music videos, graphic illustrations and voice recordings.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum Collection
"You could say we want to rock the boat a little," says exhibition curator, Tina Pang.
Portrait of Andy Lau (1985), by Julian Lee —
"You could say we want to rock the boat a little," says exhibition curator, Tina Pang.
Courtesy of Helen Lee© Julian Lee
Pang says she wanted to focus on "how daring, pioneering and experimental the artists in the '80s and '90s Canto-pop were."
Untitled (1969) by Keiichi Tanaami —
Pang says she wanted to focus on "how daring, pioneering and experimental the artists in the '80s and '90s Canto-pop were."
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong
If the Western entertainment world had the likes of Boy George, Prince and Madonna...
Album Cover for Anita Mui, "Bad Girl" (1987) —
If the Western entertainment world had the likes of Boy George, Prince and Madonna...
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong
Hong Kong had the fearless, gender-bending Leslie Cheung, the on-stage chameleon Anita Mui, and the fierce flamboyance of Roman Tam.
High heels worn by Leslie Cheung —
Hong Kong had the fearless, gender-bending Leslie Cheung, the on-stage chameleon Anita Mui, and the fierce flamboyance of Roman Tam.
Courtesy of Nansun Shi and M+, Hong Kong
LGBTIQ pop figures like Cheung, Denise Ho (Anita Mui's protégé) and Anthony Wong also feature in the exhibition.
Costume for Denise Ho's HOCC Live in Unity concert designed by Eddie Lau (2006) —
LGBTIQ pop figures like Cheung, Denise Ho (Anita Mui's protégé) and Anthony Wong also feature in the exhibition.
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong
Canto-pop icon Roman Tam wears his costume with peacock feathers during his farewell concert in 1996.
Costume for Roman Tam's farewell concert designed by Kenneth Chan (1996) —
Canto-pop icon Roman Tam wears his costume with peacock feathers during his farewell concert in 1996.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Fit for royalty, the theatrical garment was worn by the singer, who was dubbed the godfather of Canto-pop, at his farewell concert in 1996.
Costume for Roman Tam's farewell concert designed by Kenneth Chan (1996) —
Fit for royalty, the theatrical garment was worn by the singer, who was dubbed the godfather of Canto-pop, at his farewell concert in 1996.
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong
While global conversations revolving around gender identity have never been more pressing and polarized, Hong Kong remains particularly conservative, says Chow Yiu Fai, an assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing at Hong Kong Baptist University.
Exhibition view —
While global conversations revolving around gender identity have never been more pressing and polarized, Hong Kong remains particularly conservative, says Chow Yiu Fai, an assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing at Hong Kong Baptist University.
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong
"I still hear a lot of students telling me stories about a difficult coming out process with their family," Chow says.
Exhibition view —
"I still hear a lot of students telling me stories about a difficult coming out process with their family," Chow says.
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong
"It's the right time to talk about gender," Chow adds.
Exhibition view —
"It's the right time to talk about gender," Chow adds.
Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong