3rd Hong Kong Human Rights Art Exhibition Opens in Taipei, Resisting Oppression Through Art

(CNA, Taipei, June 2) The 3rd Hong Kong Human Rights Art Exhibition opened today at the 228 National Memorial Museum in Taipei. The theme of the exhibition is "Protection, Hope, and Resistance," featuring works by creators from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas, aiming to respond to oppression and silence through art and text.

The exhibition is co-organized by the 228 National Memorial Museum, the China Human Rights Observer Association, and the Hong Kong Human Rights Front.

Tong Wai-hung (also known as "Fu Tong"), a representative of the Hong Kong Human Rights Front, mentioned the cross-border suppression incident where his studio in Taiwan was splashed with paint, which severely impacted his life and work. He realized that when totalitarianism uses fear as a tool of governance, the only things that can resist the darkness are a sound legal system, a democratic and free society, and the power of citizens.

He expressed hope that through this exhibition, human rights stories could be presented artistically to convey the spirit of protection, hope, and resistance, and to unite forces to safeguard Taiwan's democracy and freedom.

Lan Shih-po, CEO of the 228 Memorial Foundation, said that this year's exhibition uses the "umbrella" as the main symbol, echoing the spirit of civil society resisting authoritarianism and protecting freedom. Democratic countries should defend freedom with freedom, protect democracy with democracy, and defend art with art, making contemporary human rights stories a part of history through continuous recording.

Gong Chin-lung, Secretary-General of the China Human Rights Observer Association, emphasized that holding this exhibition at the 228 National Memorial Museum is particularly significant, symbolizing Taiwan's historical experience of overcoming authoritarian rule and pursuing truth and justice. Taiwan's continued hosting of Hong Kong human rights exhibitions and activities demonstrates support for the people of Hong Kong and is an important embodiment of civil society practicing democratic values.

Curator Kacey Wong stated that the theme of "umbrella" symbolizes protection, resistance, hope, and persistence, connecting people around the world who support freedom and democracy.

Wong mentioned that the participating works come from creators in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the UK, Canada, and other places. The forms are diverse, and the themes span state violence, historical memory, and human rights issues, expressing mourning for a lost era and reinterpreting identity, the meaning of home, and future paths for Hong Kong people in diaspora.

Wong hopes that the inner voices of Hong Kong people worldwide can be presented through the human rights art exhibition. He emphasized that only by persisting can there be a chance to see hope, and art is an important medium for uniting communities and conveying hope.

According to the official website, the 3rd Hong Kong Human Rights Art Exhibition will run until August 30. During the event, the organizers have planned a series of activities titled "2026 Human Rights Art Film Festival: From Spatial Collapse to Spiritual Fortress," which will include screenings and forums.