Chankalun

Although born and raised in Hong Kong, it was while studying in Britain that artist Chankalun (Karen Chan) first fell in love with neon art. Feeling homesick, Chan’s sudden appreciation for the distant dazzling lights of her birthplace sparked a desire to pursue it as a hobby.

On her return, however, she found the scene was virtually non-existent. “There was no access to the craft in Hong Kong, and support was very limited,” she says. “I kept receiving rejections for learning or having a place to practice.”

Undeterred, Chan decided to travel the world for three years, when she learned from neon-benders and artists in Japan, France, the Netherlands, the US and Taiwan. She’s the first person to learn the craft in six different countries and is now the only female neon-bender in Hong Kong.

Chan aims to redefine the perception of neon art – often considered a dying and male-dominated craft – and showcase its diverse potential beyond just signs. Her work has gained global recognition, leading to invitations to speak and advocate for neon art at TEDxTinHauWomen, Soho House and Art Basel in Hong Kong.

One of her most celebrated achievements is the La Prairie-commissioned work Light as Air, which was installed in Tai Kwun during Art Basel.Created with upcycled glass, it was the largest outdoor sculptural neon installation in Hong Kong. 

Chan says the most satisfying thing was the reactions of her friends. “They were astonished, because they expected it to be a flat 2D work,” she says. “They had no idea about the potential neon can bring.”

Looking ahead, Chan aspires to advocate neon policies locally and dreams of developing a neon street in Hong Kong adorned with her creations. Her ultimate desire is to have her work exhibited in her favourite museums and spaces, including the Wellcome Collection in London, the Musée de la Chasse et la Nature in Paris and Hong Kong’s M+. No surprise, then, that her motto is “Impossible is impossible.”