Over the past two years since our founding, r é n has focused on providing our supported youths opportunities within the F&B industry, but now, we’re expanding our reach into the world of art. After a successful collaboration with local artist David Leung for Easter, we’re now connecting with HART Haus, a not-for-profit arts initiative co-founded by Kristine Li.

“This is the first time HART Haus is collaborating with r é n, and it’s also just the second time r é n is working with the art world, so it’s all very new to us,” HART Haus director Vera Lam says. “The focus of our collaboration is accessibility, inclusivity and empowerment within the art world, and all these values are equally important to both r é n and us here at HART Haus. We’re a very community-oriented organisation. As a not-for-profit initiative founded in 2018, we are home to 30 transnational artists-in-residence each year with interdisciplinary practices, and since last year we’ve also started an exchange program for overseas visiting artists. On top of this, we subsidise studio spaces for graduates fresh out of art school, and we hope that by providing an environment of incubation with more mature artists, they are offered more opportunities and exposure.” 

“I really see art as a medium through which people can share their experiences,” Kristine continues. “HART Haus does a lot of engagement work, including with people who are less advantaged, because everyone has a story to tell, and when they’re given the opportunity to tell it, then more people can learn about it and empathise with what those individuals might be going through. I believe work like this creates better social bonds within neighbourhoods and within communities, so whenever we have exhibitions or events we try our best to also host various workshops for the youth or people in need and try to spread messages of inclusivity and community.”

To kick off our new partnership, r é n and HART Haus will be hosting an exhibition on June 26 at HART Haus in Kennedy Town. The show will feature three young graduates from the University of the Arts London – Japanese artist Keisuke Azuma, Macanese artist Sin U Lam, and Spanish artist Daniel Roibal – as well as three of HART Haus’ own awardees – selected from 2024 undergraduates of Hong Kong Baptist University –– Kelly Kwok and Kwok Wah San, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong –– Elsa Ngai. 

“We work with two universities in Hong Kong: the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Fine Arts Department and the Hong Kong Baptist University’s Academy of Visual Arts,” Vera explains of their HART Award. “We select three HART awardees each year through observing their graduation shows, after which we also dive into their portfolios. A key criterion for this selection is whether an artist can create an interesting dynamic in the pool of artists already in residence here, because the awardees will be offered a cash prize, a dedicated studio space at HART Haus for six months to use for free, and new commissions or exhibition opportunities. It’s not a short time, but it’s also not a very long time, so we really want to help these artists develop and grow while they’re here, in an environment where they can share and exchange ideas with supportive peers.”

Aside from the exhibition, we’ll also be hosting a moderated artist sharing session on the morning of June 26 at Kellett School, as well as a closed-door workshop led by the exhibiting artists for r é n members on June 28. These sessions aim to inspire those looking to pursue the arts and provide guidance to them, and if you’re thinking about joining the creative community yourself, Kristine has these words of advice for you:

“Don't be shy! A career in art might still be a little bit taboo in our society, but I feel like Hong Kong has come a long way, and now arts and culture is actually a big soft power for the city’s upcoming development. It's such an important channel of exchange, and it showcases Hong Kong’s identity. So I encourage young artists to really get out there and talk to more people – or come visit us! We offer internships and workshops where different artists share their experimental journey and techniques, so it’ll help you figure out what you really want to do.”