Amity Chan began using art as a tool for activism in high school, initially experimenting with ways to address human rights issues in Hong Kong and nearby regions. “My focus sharpened in 2019 during the Anti-Extradition Law Protests in Hong Kong,” she recalls. “Witnessing and experiencing police brutality firsthand during peaceful protests was a turning point, as I confronted the rapid downfall of democracy in my home city.”
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in General Fine Arts and a minor in Culture and Politics from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, using her creative voice to bring attention to the political affairs in Hong Kong comes naturally to Amity. As an artist, she says she felt an urgent responsibility to create work that not only voices her own experiences but also speaks on behalf of those still enduring these struggles in Hong Kong. Amity states that as of October 2024, over 1,900 political prisoners have been detained, facing prolonged pretrial detention, denied bail, and even life sentences for their roles in the pro-democracy movement. Government officials have even stated that there is no time limit for charging the 7,000 individuals arrested in recent protests, she adds.
“Through painting, printmaking, photography, and art installations, I educate the public on the new face of Hong Kong and capture the spirit of a city that refuses to be silenced, Amity says. Screen-printing has been the most impactful medium in her activism. “Though it’s intended for quick production, I often spend hours refining my prints to get them just right. Screen-printing has a long tradition in creating protest posters and spreading messages, making it a perfect match for my intentions,” she says.
When the 2019 protests began in June, Amity recalls that she was still in school for the summer semester. “Watching the news from afar, I felt helpless, unable to be there to support my fellow activists. So, I poured my energy into what I could do at the time: making art.” This led Amity to create two editions of prints: Be Safe, My Friends and the Handcuffs Series.
Be Safe, My Friends was inspired by Fai Chun, a traditional Chinese decoration used during Lunar New Year to bring good luck to the home and family. “Being far from home, I wanted to hold on to hope and bring luck and safety to my fellow democracy activists in Hong Kong as they faced increasing police brutality,” she says. The Handcuffs Series criticizes the unjust arrests of protesters, journalists, first-aiders, and civilians during the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Protests.
Amity draws inspiration from historical events, current news, and cultural traditions in Hong Kong. “Even though I grew up in Hong Kong, I have spent half of my adult life in the United States pursuing my education,” she says. “I still discover new things about my home city that I didn’t know before, and I love sharing that excitement in my artwork through bright colors and playful brush strokes.” Amity adds: “With many Hong Kongers moving or planning to move abroad, “preserving our identity—especially our unique language, culture, and traditions—has become a key focus for me. I’m actively learning and exploring more about Hong Kong traditions to keep that connection alive.”
Amity is currently challenging herself by working on larger-scale pieces of art and combining new mediums. “I am creating pieces that explore light, reflections, textures, scents, and new technologies to recreate the Hong Kong we oncenew,” she says. “Additionally, considering the risks that political dissenters faced abroad, especially concerning their family members, I am looking to develop an AI tool that facilitates human interaction in a way reminiscent of a typical Asian parent—cold but caring. This tool aims to help ease their loneliness and educate the public about the differences between Western and Hong Kong culture.”
Visit amitychan.wixsite.com/amitychan and follow Amity on Instagram (@emm.axz) to see more of her work.
