Luke Ching Chin Wai (程展緯; born 1972) is a conceptual artist and labour activist from Hong Kong. His artistic practice twists the role of the artist and observer and has created works which, with a mix of humour, respond to the cultural and political collisions in Hong Kong.[1] He studied at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and graduated with an MA in Fine Art in 1998.[2] He has participated in exhibitions and residencies worldwide.[3]
Artistic practice
Ching's works range from photography, sculpture and video to social intervention, often made as a spontaneous response to his surroundings.[4] His artistic practices are based upon his belief in agency and responsibility of the artist for social purposes.[5]
Since 2007 in his ongoing project undercover worker, he has worked in different low paid jobs in Hong Kong to experience their working environments and make first-hand observations of working conditions.[6] He used his project to visualize problems hidden within Hong Kong and connect different situations and lead several campaigns to improve working conditions of low paid workers.[5] As part of his 'labour campaigns', he has successfully improved working conditions for low paid workers, such as providing chairs for security guards and cashiers; provided a new design for public rubbish bins to make cleaner’s job easier; and urged the city’s Labour Department to improve health & safety standards related to prolonged standing.[6] His work has launched collaborative activities to encourage employers make positive changes and raise awareness of worker’s welfare.[5]
^"Look/17: Luke Ching". Liverpool International Photography Festival. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
^ abcLeung, Suzannie K. Y (2019-11-28), "Socially engaged arts: Luke Ching's practices for Hong Kong", The International Journal of Social, Political, and Community Agendas in the Arts, 14 (4): 25–35, doi:10.18848/2326-9960/CGP/v14i04/25-35, S2CID212845318{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
