Katie Vajda’s into Wonderland
Named after the honorific title of Chinese philosopher Confucius, the Master Kong Quarterly is the latest magazine to be launched in Hong Kong. Coconuts HK spoke to editor Peter Augustus about the local-art-only concept and the challenges of starting a magazine with very few words and absolutely no advertising!
Alan Pang’s Garbage
From overflowing rubbish bins, to super hero snapshots, pig snout burgers and black and white beauties, the range and breadth of the photography featured in the first issue of the Master Kong Quarterly is something to be applauded. Although ‘Hong Kong’ was the first of the many loose themes that will be assigned to each issue of the new art magazine, editor Peter Augustus insists that every issue will have an element of the familiar.
Cho Kar Hoo’s Heroes Next Door series
“I felt it made sense to have the city as the subject [of the first edition] because it’s produced, printed and was developed here,” Peter explained. “In a way, I suppose every edition will have an underlying Hong Kong theme. It’s such an overwhelming and dynamic place that no matter what subject of work is created here, in some way the city can been seen.”
HK Urbex’s Ma On Shan Mine
Working under the tagline of ‘the Master Kong Society’, the magazine’s “staff” will change each quarter depending on who has been invited to contribute. While Issue No.1 features existing work, Peter plans to commission exclusive projects once the movement gains notoriety. And while the physical publication is almost entirely text-free, a full write up and biog of each guest artist is available on the Master Kong Quarterly website.
Peter Augustus’ Pork Burger
Peter says that the response to the launch has so far been very promising, but with absolutely no advertising, the survival of the magazine will depend solely on whether readers will choose to buy the art featured within from the online shop. Peter is confident they will.
Xyza Cruze Bancani
“I think people want something that is truly Hong Kong, since it seems most of the focus here at the larger galleries is imported Western art,” he said. “It’s really to help art lovers become art collectors, and a way to get more work off the white gallery walls and into homes.”
Chow Kar Hoo’s Opera Modernisation
Peter is also insistent that the society is welcomingly loose in its definition of “Hong Kong art” . “Being a “local artist” doesn’t mean having been born here; we include all artists currently living and working here. I think, unfortunately, there is a bit of a silly debate on that within the community.”
We certainly like what we see in the Master Kong’s first offering and look forward to the next issue in October! Pick up a copy at Kapok PMQ or the K11 basement gallery in TST.
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