Elaine Chiu Named Prestige 40 under 40
2024.10 Hong Kong
Elaine Chiu
Artist
There’s a chance you’re already familiar with the work of Elaine Chiu, even if you haven’t visited oneof her exhibitions. Although she only graduated in 2018, the Yau Tsim Mong-raised contemporary artist has become one of the buzziest names in art through her paintings and sketches depicting Hong Kong cityscapes and its urban identity. Through her work, she also advocates for the preservation of the city’s heritage as it undergoes rapid urban development. “It’s my innate desire to connect and influence people through visual means, aesthetics and good values,” she says.
As a full-time artist, Chiu says she enjoys the flexibility of her ever-evolving responsibilities, which might involve people-facing work during exhibition and auction periods or finding solace in her studio to focus on her art.
The past year has been marked by achievements that elevated her profile at home and abroad. As well as having solo shows in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, Chiu was selected for the 14th China National Painting Exhibition and had two artworks acquired by Cathay Pacific as part of its Gallery in the Skies project. But the most ambitious work of all was a collaboration with Henderson Land on a 110-metre-long outdoor artwork at Central Harbourfront to coincide with the city’s art week in March.
As a child, Chiu dreamed of becoming an artist; she recalls painting and doodling at the age of three. She credits her mother, a former painter, as her rock of support as well as encouragement. “She’s my muse and inspiration,” says Chiu.
Looking ahead, Chiu has big ambitions of continuing her artistic journey. “I hope to do more bigger-scale crossover projects that involve cross- cultural collaboration and exchange, uniting increasing numbers of people through art and culture.” You can bet we’ll be seeing a lot more from her.
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