Spotlight On YAFies: IOII Studio

IOII Studio (Ian and Esther)
Art! WeCan 2025 Artists

How did you develop your artistic style?
We've always worked in creative fields – Ian in photography and I (Esther) in landscape architecture. Beyond our professions, we've loved drawing since we were little. Ian leans toward geometric designs while I focus on painting. We combined our passions and co-founded IOII Studio, and gradually developed our unique artistic direction.

Why do you use wood as your primary medium?
Wood is a natural material with rich vitality and versatility. At first, it might look like plain brown boards, but if you look closely, each piece has unique grain patterns and hues. This organic variability, combined with modern crafting techniques, allows us to create diverse art pieces.  

What inspired you to create City Odyssey for Art! WeCan?  
Parts of the exhibition are displayed on the century-old Star Ferry – an iconic piece of Hong Kong heritage and an important part of the city’s collective memory. Inspired by that special setting, we wanted to bridge the past and present through our collections. 
The workshops encourage students to imagine themselves as young birds navigating the urban landscape and to reinterpret the city from a fresh viewpoint. City Odyssey acts as a time capsule, prompting students to reflect on which Hong Kong memories they’d like to preserve. Both collections foster a conversation between the students and the city, inspiring them to look into their feelings about Hong Kong.

How do the students’ works bring your ideas to life?
The students created these artworks by exploring Hong Kong through their personal perspectives and experiences, making each piece unique.
Unlike paintings, crafting layered wooden reliefs requires three-dimensional compositions. Designing each layer was an excellent chance for students to think about each layer in depth. We hope the people who come to see the works will take the time to appreciate both the traditional craftsmanship and the individual stories embedded in each layer.

What was your most unforgettable experience during the workshops?
Knowing that the works would be displayed aboard the Star Ferry made the City Odyssey quite special. We had to introduce the theme, guide students to conceptualise their ideas, and get them to execute their 3D pieces in just five sessions. Initially, we were worried we might not finish in time. But the students learned and crafted with remarkable dedication. The best part was seeing their smiles when they’d completed their works and asked, “Can we go to the exhibition together?”

What is your favourite thing about Hong Kong?
The fusion of Chinese and Western cultures. Most of us live the Chinese lifestyle and are proud of our traditional heritage, while Western culture influences every aspect of our lives, creating a rich, diverse and culturally inclusive style in architecture, design, and art. 
Just look around, we have old Chinese walk-up buildings alongside colonial architecture, and milk tea to go with char siu rice. This hybrid culture adds unique layers that are distinctively Hong Kong and it never stops inspiring us.

What three must-dos would you recommend to Hong Kong tourists?
The first thing would definitely be hiking! Superficially, Hong Kong looks like a concrete jungle, but it actually has very easy access to nature. Few cities offer skyscrapers minutes from mountain trails. We love this about Hong Kong.
The next two things would be about our local cuisine – try yum cha and dai pai dong! Dim sum and hawker stalls are such a big part of Hong Kong’s history and culture.

What advice do you have for youngsters who are passionate about the visual arts?
Treasure every creative opportunity, no matter the scale. You will always learn something. Above all, find joy in the process. Enjoying what you do fuels your motivation.

Who is your favourite artist?
There are many! At the moment we're drawn to animal-themed works, like those by Japanese artist Ayako Ishiguro, which are really impressive. Her surreal cat paintings are whimsical and meticulous. You can see the human in her cat characters and in some paintings they even look otherworldly. They invite viewers to imagine the stories behind them.