Event Highlights

Weave Party - Let's Make a "Home" Come True

A public exhibition was successfully held on November 30, 2019 (saturday) in The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home (hereafter as the Care Home). This exhibition of "Weave Party, A Family of Dream Weavers" was a special event for the Care Home. It was made possible through sponsorship of the "HSBC Hong Kong Community Partnership Programme 2019".

The collection presented works of 15 elderly artists who were residents of the Care Home at that time. The "HOME" concept was the main theme. There were wooden chairs, floor lamps, screens and patchwork quilts. The elderly have demonstrated their creative use of different weaving techniques such as hand knit,  hand weave, handloom, frame loom etc in combination with carpentry works. The elderly were not working alone. There was help provided by young hand weaving specialists who incorporated the latest laser sculpting and cutting techniques into the traditional approach of the elderly to make the "HOME" theme come true.

Using their imagination, the elderly also made many pictures by hand in the "weave medium". The technology of AR (Augmented Reality) was introduced to stimulate the experiences of visitors. Through the AR programme which provided instant interaction, visitors were guided into seeing and listening to the creative process of the elderly as they worked and talked about their personal stories.

Weave Party - The Timber Furniture

Based on the "HOME" theme, the elderly also fabricated timber furniture by hand. Each piece of furniture is a record of life's journey and an expression of the good old times.

In the past, most furniture in Hong Kong at home could be hand crafted by the father. These furniture often bring back valuable memories of the parents for their years spent taking care of the families. Upon reaching old age,  it is a blessing that the elderly parents still have the curiosity and imagination of the young. Keeping up with "a young and fighting spirit",  the elderly parents can continue to explore and search for a better future.

Weave Party - The Weaver

The 1970s and 80s was the "golden age" in Hong Kong for the garment and fashion industry. When they were young many elderly had worked in sewing or managerial positions in garment factories. Sewing machines, yarns, and textiles were all part of the collective memory of the elderly and reminiscences of the incredible achievements of their glorious past.

When the elderly were later engaged in the weaving process again in the Care Home while preparing for this exhibition, they talked endlessly about hard work in the factories. Yet they beamed with joy and happily celebrated the good old days chanting "Long Live the Factory Girls"!!  When the elderly share their stories again, they are vividly reminding us of their past contribution to the economy of Hong Kong. However, as life continues, the elderly will reassess their present existence and significant value to society.