Spotlight on YAFies: Cheng Kin-yip and Wong Ting-fung

Cheng Kin-yip (ayip)
Wong Ting-fung
Artists with MTR East Rail Line Themed Train Artwork Creation Programme

What’s the most memorable piece of artwork you’ve ever created?
Cheng: I’d say this one, the “East Rail Line ‧ Fun Fun Art”. I've never spent more time and created so much art for a single project before!

​Wong: Whatever I work on next! I can’t really remember much of my previous work, so the most memorable piece will always be the next thing I create!

How would you describe your art style?
Cheng: I work in a variety of styles. For example, for the “East Rail Line ‧ Fun Fun Art” train project I used collage to combine different illustrations of iconic Hong Kong landmarks and cultural elements to create unique images.

Wong: I always try to mix things up in my creative style. No matter what art form or medium I’m working in, I want to create something that can convey multiple ideas through a mix of styles and forms of expression, something that can inspire people with new ideas.

Do you have any special memories of the East Rail Line?
Cheng: It reminds me of my childhood, and taking the train to cross the border and visit relatives in our hometown. It also makes me think of renting bikes in places along the line like Tai Wai and Sha Tin.

Wong: Childhood memories. I rarely take the East Rail Line now. But when I was younger, and it was owned by the KCR, my family and I would take it to visit relatives at Lunar New Year. As the route runs from the city to the countryside, you could see all kinds of plants, trees and flowers, and even smell the pig transportation trucks! I really enjoyed the scenery along the line. That’s why I have a special fondness for it, more than for other means of transportation.

What was your design concept for this project?
Cheng: I worked on the artwork for the train interior and created illustrations inspired by the landmarks and culture of the communities around the 16 stations between Admiralty and Lo Wu. There are a total of 16 sets of illustrations inside 8 train compartments, so each compartment has images of two stations. I hope the station-themed illustrations help passengers enjoy the journey and explore the unique character of the different communities in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. 

Wong: I incorporated my lettering style into the train exterior artwork. Using the colour of each station and the strokes of the Chinese station names as inspiration, I played around with the structure of the characters to create a colourful experience. It’s like creating something new from what’s already there.

What was the most challenging part of this project?
Cheng: Because of the pandemic, the most challenging part was working with different primary and secondary school students via online workshops. Luckily we managed to work things out and create more than 100 illustrations of hot air balloons to decorate the train interior.

Wong: The most challenging thing was connecting character strokes that are split by the interface between train doors and windows. I dealt with this by using colour and white lines to balance and connect the different elements visually.

What do you do when you feel a lack of artistic inspiration?
Cheng: Put down the paintbrush, go for a walk, watch a movie, read a book, do things that are unrelated to art – literally take a break and relax my mind.

Wong: Explore new ideas and activities that might suddenly give you a rush of inspiration.

If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
Cheng: I’d have the ability to teleport so I could travel around the world, meet new people and try new things.

Wong: I’d be able to make everyone happy. With this ability I could basically do whatever I want.

What advice would you give to teenagers who are also passionate about the visual arts?
Cheng: Keep observing, thinking, creating, expanding your horizons, and finding your passion. Just keep creating until you’re moved by your work.

Wong: Inspiration can be found anywhere, so open your eyes to the world around you and get creative! Don’t let perceptions or judgements like race, nationality, language, beauty and ugliness limit your creativity.