AIR ‧ Masters

WYNG Masters Award 2013 WINNERS Announced

The latest World Health Organization findings show that air pollution has led to at least 7 million deaths in 2013 confirming it as a top environmental health risk. In Hong Kong, according to a study in HKU, air pollution has led to well over 3,000 premature deaths, more than 20,000 daily doctors’ visits and a monetary loss of 39 billion HKD in 2013.

The WYNG Masters Award’s mission is to nurture the growth of photography as an art form in Hong Kong, as well as to stimulate dialogue and foster community awareness on socially-relevant issues of critical importance to Hong Kong and its residents. Each year, a focused theme is chosen for the award. The 2013 theme is air—as Hong Kong wrestles with the health, economic, and social effects of its deteriorating air quality. The presence of the Planning Department and the Environmental Protection Department indicates that tackling the issue will have to be a cross departmental one.

WYNG Masters Award Judge Mr. ZoherAbdoolcarim stated “Air, and its dark side, air pollution, does not discriminate. Whoever we are, we are all affected by what we breathe—sore throat, headache, coughing, difficulty breathing. There’s no escape…..So awareness about the qualityof our air is something we all should care about. This year’s picture competition contributes to raising that awareness, and, hopefully, it will help, in its own small way, to bring government, business, NGOs and individuals together. This issue is bad for our health, it’s bad for our economy, it’s bad for our society. ” Mr. Stephen Wong Chairman of Clean Air Network added that “in 2013, roadside NO2 concentrations were the 2nd worse in HK records and there were 3183 premature deaths resulting from air pollution. CAN recommended stricter marine pollution standards: ocean vessels clean fuel switch during berthing in HK and in the long run, they would like Emission Control Area (ECA) in PRD regions.”

The WYNG Masters Award 2013 finalists were announced in January this year, chosen by a panel of renowned professionals including ZoherAbdoolcarim, Abby Chen, Jehan Chu, Louise Clements, Frank Kalero, Joanne Ooi and Christopher Phillips. The award winning works were announced at the WYNG Masters Award Exhibition. Siu Wai Hang’s work “The Roadsider” won the WYNG Masters Award, receiving a cash prize of $250,000. A second finalist Lau Ching Ping was selected for the HK$250,000 WYNG AIR Project commission to create a body of photographic work highlighting the theme of AIR in Hong Kong. The organizers of WYNG Masters Award would like to thank all finalists for their excellent submissions.

BIOS OF WINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS:

WYNG Masters Award Winner – Siu Wai Hang

Siu Wai Hang graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Creative Media from The School of Creative Media, The City University of Hong Kong. He went on to obtain his Master of Fine Art from the Department of Fine Arts, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 2010, Siu presented a solo exhibition Metropolis Chlorophyll in K11 Art Mall Hong Kong. He has participated in various group exhibitions such as Pingyao International Photography Festival 2013, Hong Kong Contemporary Art Awards 2012, Hong Kong EYE, Image on the Run and Dine at Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate. His works are represented in the collections of The Legislative Council of Hong Kong, The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong, and various private collections. Both Hong Kong and China cultural media have written about his artworks as well.

WYNG Air Project Recipient – Lau Ching Ping
Lau Ching Ping lives in Hong Kong. Creative works on photography, design and education.Co-editor of Dislocation magazine.Committee member of the Hong Kong International Photo Festival.Part-time lecturer at The Chinese University Hong Kong and Hong Kong University SPACE.Curator of Gallery Z.

For more information on the WYNG Masters Award please visit http://wyngmastersaward.hk