Books

Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong’ Photo Book And Exhibition By Stefan Irvine

Martha Lucas

Stefan Irvine’s photo-book and solo exhibition, “Abandoned Villages of Hong Kong”, published by Blue Lotus Editions, is an invitation to explore the forgotten corners of this vibrant city, and to discover the haunting beauty that lies hidden within its parks and islands.

For centuries before the colonial era, Hong Kong’s population dwelled in isolated villages, subsisting mainly on farming or fishing. When better opportunities arose during the 1960s, many villagers found work in restaurants overseas or in the urban factories of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, their countryside houses – sometimes entire villages – were simply abandoned and left to be reclaimed by nature. Stefan’s photographs breathe new life into the crumbling facades and overgrown relics, allowing readers to witness the enduring charm of these abandoned homes.

Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine
Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine

With its documentary approach, this collection of photographs features many of Hong Kong’s most isolated settlements and is a testament to Stefan’s passion for capturing the essence of disappearing places. His careful research and deep appreciation for the subject shine through in every carefully composed image, unveiling the hidden narratives of structures frozen in time.

“In more remote parts of the territory, entire villages appear to have been abandoned overnight. Furniture and personal items remain untouched even decades later, giving precious insight into the lives of the families that once thrived there. Whether abandoned intentionally by villagers seeking their fortune overseas, or left behind due to unforeseen circumstances, these ruins now serve as a window into the past, providing us with clues to a way of life which has almost completely disappeared.” – Stefan Irvine

“Abandoned Villages of Hong Kong” is not just a tribute to the resilience of the Hong Kong people, but also a reflection on the impermanence of our existence. We invite you to join us at the Blue Lotus Gallery from January 12th to February 25th, 2024 for an immersive experience, delving into the vanishing corners of this dynamic city. These photographs offer a poignant reminder of life’s transience and the lasting impact of those who came before us.

Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine
Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine

About Stefan Irvine:

Born in London in 1976, Stefan Irvine has been based in Hong Kong since 2002. With a background in photojournalism and commercial photography, the last few years have seen him focus on fine art photography projects. Stefan’s photographs have been exhibited in New York, London and Hong Kong, as well as appearing in publications globally including The New York Times, National Geographic, Forbes, Rolling Stone, and The Wall Street Journal. He is the winner of the Independent on Sunday/Oxfam Photojournalist Award and was awarded 1st Place in the Architecture/Other category of the International Photography Awards 2020.

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书籍

《瓦落叢⽣》Stefan Irvine 攝影書發布及展覽

Martha Lucas

在殖⺠時代前的數個世紀裡,主要以農業或漁業為⽣的香港⼈,普遍居住於偏僻的村莊。到六⼗年代時期,更多更好的就業機會出現,許多村⺠於海外的餐廳或香港的城市⼯廠找到⼯作,因此他們直接捨棄本來居住的鄉村房屋-甚⾄遺棄整個村落,任由它們回歸⼤⾃然。

Stefan Irvine 的全新個⼈展覽,伴隨由 Blue Lotus Edition 出版的同名攝影集《瓦落叢⽣》,鏡頭正正對準這些荒廢的村落,以影像作品為那些搖搖欲墜的外牆和雜草叢⽣的遺跡注入新⽣命,讓觀眾

⼀睹這些荒廢房屋那歷久不衰的魅⼒。

Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine
Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine

Stefan 憑著對於捕捉廢墟的熱情,採⽤紀實⼿法去記錄了香港許多偏遠且已消失的定居點。他對於這主題的仔細研究和深度的理解,無⼀不體現於每幀精⼼構圖的影像中,更加揭示出當中被時間凍結了的隱藏故事。

「在更偏遠的地區,我發現某些村落彷彿⼀夜之間被遺棄般;傢俱和個⼈物品即使過了數⼗年仍然原封不動,為那些曾經於此處繁榮⽣活過的家庭留下了寶貴的⾒證。無論是村⺠為了前往外地另謀

⽣計⽽主動遺棄,或是因為無法預料的原因⽽遺留下,這些廢墟現在都成為通往過去的⼀扇窗⼝,為那種幾乎完全消失的⽣活⽅式提供了線索。」- Stefan Irvine

《瓦落叢⽣》是向香港⼈堅忍不拔的精神致敬,亦剖析著關於「存在」的無常。 我們誠摯邀請您於 2024年1⽉12⽇⾄2⽉25⽇ 蒞臨 Blue Lotu Gallery,⼀同探索這座充滿活⼒的城市那些被遺忘的⾓落。這些作品深深的提醒著我們萬物轉瞬即逝,同時亦揭示出前⼈於歷史所烙下的印記。

Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine
Abandoned Villages Of Hong Kong 瓦落叢⽣ by Stefan Irvine

關於藝術家:

Stefan Irvine 1976 年出⽣於倫敦,⾃ 2002 年起定居香港,是⼀位屢獲殊榮的英國攝影師。他擁有新聞攝影和商業攝影背 景,過去幾年專注於藝術攝影計畫。他的作品在多個報刊、雜誌上發表刊登,包括 《紐約時報》、《CNN》、《國家地理雜誌》、《福布斯》、《衛報》和《南華早報》等;更於2020年獲得了International Photography Awards (IPA)的第⼀名;其攝影作品亦曾在紐約、香港和倫敦展出。

關於 Blue Lotus Gallery:

Blue Lotus Gallery 成立於 2007 年,是⼀家專注於探索香港⽂化及⾝份的攝影畫廊,致⼒搜羅多位備受尊敬的攝影⼤師和當代新銳藝術家的攝影集、限量印刷作品以及早期原作照⽚。我們是全球獨家代理何藩及其家屬的畫廊。多年來,本畫廊為多位藝術家如 Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze 、Tugo Cheng 及 Stefan Irvine 的創作⽣涯發揮起重要作⽤,同時亦作為他們於香港地區的獨家代理。我們位於香港上環磅巷28號,⼀個古樸⽽寧靜的歷史⼩區。

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