MY STORY

English

Chinese

I was born in Hong Kong. My mother Lai Yung Ho was also born in Hong Kong. My father, Wing Cheung Wong came to Hong Kong when he was 14. It was after 1949. They got married and had 14 children. My father was a cook and my mother was a factory worker. My family was very poor and I was born homeless in Mongkok. I was the fifth child and I was the first one to have formal education up to university level. I remember when I was 8 years' old, one of my neighbours brought me to register in her school, Melrose Christian Primary School, in Lam Tin, otherwise I would have had no chance to study. Actually I was already two year's late. I really thank her for changing my life. I loved to study and my performance was excellent.

After the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration In 1984, I began to study theology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It strengthened my Christian faith in a wider perspective. I wanted to be a teacher in a college later. In fact, after Tienanmen 1989, I worked for Hong Kong Christian Institute for several years as an editor before I went on to study Women and Development in The Hague, Institute of Social Studies in 1992. I participated in Hong Kong Women Christian Council for many years as a volunteer until I came to England.

After 1997, I began to think about my own future and personal development. I decided to quit my job and went for a course at Wimbledon School of Art in 1998, I was lucky to have several wonderful tutors to guide me and encourage me to pursue my vision. Then I went on to London Guildhall University for a MA degree in Art, Design and Visual Culture, till 2000. After I finished the degree, I got a job working for a Chinese women's organisation in Manchester. It helps me to develop art projects within a community setting. I run art and craft workshops every week and lead various art projects.

I have been showing work in Wimbledon, London, Manchester, Hong Kong and Seoul. I really enjoy making creative work. I know it is very hard to be an artist and earn a living solely from art work. Yet, I recognise that it is worthwhile to pursue my vision and fulfill my creative drive and share my work with other people who will appreciate it.

Louise Bourgeois is one of my favourite artists. When I saw her 'spiders' for Serpentine Art Gallery and Tate Modern, I said to myself, "I want to make an art work right now!" Though she is old she has got powerful strength. I know she has experienced all the difficulties as an artist and I dare to dream the impossible dream too.

A few years ago after I met Mr. Carnation, I started to write poems. Since then, my poems have been published by Anchor Books, Poetry Now, Strong Words, In God's Image, Holy Trinity & St. Peter's Church. In the year of 2002 my first solo book, Walking in the Clouds, was published by Serendipity. The other co-translated book, In God's Image III, will be published soon in 2003 by Hong Kong Women Christian Council.