Taipei: The third edition of the Hong Kong Human Rights Art Exhibition launched in Taipei, showcasing artwork from Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and international creators. The exhibition, titled "Protection, Hope and Resistance," is held at the National 228 Memorial Museum and features over 50 works, each accompanied by introductions in Chinese and English, aiming to underscore the significance of freedom, human rights, and historical memory.
According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan-based Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Tong Wai-hung shared his experiences of facing disruptions in Taiwan after a wanted notice was issued against him by Hong Kong authorities last year. Tong reported incidents of intimidation, including his Taipei Thai boxing studio being splashed with red paint, which he and Taiwanese civil society groups have termed acts of transnational repression. He emphasized the role of civic forces in resisting authoritarian regimes and supporting shared values.
Tong, who founded the Hong Kong Human Rights Front, one of the exhibition's organizers, expressed hopes that the exhibition would narrate human rights stories through art and unite people in safeguarding Taiwan's democracy and freedom. Cecil Kung, secretary-general of the New School for Democracy, highlighted Taiwan's ongoing support for Hong Kong's human rights issues and its role in demonstrating democratic values in practice.
Since the imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong in 2020, art exhibitions addressing human rights and memories of the 2019 protests have become rare in the region. Taiwan has emerged as a place where Hong Kong artists and activists can freely explore these issues. Events like this exhibition provide a platform to preserve protest memories and reflect on broader human rights concerns. The exhibition is open to the public until August 30.