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Lily Xia
Lily Xia

Hong Kong Students Prize

The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize, Hong Kong 2026 is opened for entries! The deadline of entry is extended to 6 October 2025.

How To Participate

01

Nomination

Participating students must be nominated by their teacher. Teachers can nominate up to 10 students to enter. Upon entry, students will be asked to enter the name of their nominating teacher.

Terms and Conditions: English | Chinese

02

Artwork Submission

Nominated students can submit up to three artworks online before the submission deadline. Please follow the entry instructions in the T&Cs.

Our panel of judges will then select 20 student artists for the shortlist.

03

The Prizes

The Judges Prize of HK$8,000 is awarded to the student artist with the highest score from the judges. HK$20,000 is awarded to the school of the Judges Prize winner.

The Public Vote Prize of HK$4,000 is awarded to the student artist with the most votes from the public. HK$10,000 is awarded to the school of the Public Vote Prize Winner.

Ng Yan To_Living Space_high res Ng Yan To_Living Space_high res

Key Dates

Submission Period

1 September 2025 — 29 September 2025

Shortlist Announcement

— February 2026

Finalists Exhibition

— TBC

Awards Ceremony

— TBC

Judges

Howard Bilton image
Howard Bilton
Founder and Chairman  
Howard Bilton image

Howard Bilton

Founder and Chairman  

Howard Bilton, a British-born entrepreneur and barrister, has made a multifaceted impact on tax advisory services, philanthropy, and the wine industry in Portugal and beyond. His ventures reflect a unique blend of business acumen and social responsibility, creating a lasting legacy in each sector he touches. 

Tax

As the chairman and founder of The Sovereign Group, Bilton has significantly influenced the tax landscape, particularly for expatriates and international businesses. The Group provides comprehensive tax planning and wealth management services, which help clients navigate complex tax systems. By doing so, it supports individuals and companies to optimize their tax positions within the legal framework, fostering an environment that is conducive to foreign investment and economic growth in Portugal. 

Charity

In the realm of charity, Bilton’s establishment of The Sovereign Art Foundation has made a notable impact on the local and international art scenes. The foundation not only recognizes and supports artists through awards and exhibitions but also raises substantial funds for charitable causes. A significant portion of its work is dedicated to using art as a medium for educational and healing purposes, particularly for disadvantaged children. Through these initiatives, Bilton has harnessed the power of art to make a tangible difference in the lives of many, providing both cultural enrichment and social support. 

 Wine

With Howard’s Folly, Bilton has ventured into the wine industry, intertwining the worlds of oenology and art. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the rich terroir of Portugal, contributing to the country’s reputation as a producer of fine wines. Beyond the production, Howard’s Folly serves as a cultural destination, hosting art exhibitions and events that attract visitors from around the world. This unique concept not only promotes Portuguese wine but also elevates the cultural experience of wine tasting, setting a precedent for how wineries can engage with the arts. 

Overall Impact

Howard Bilton’s impact in the fields of tax, charity, and wine is characterized by a forward-thinking approach that leverages professional expertise to foster cultural and social development. By integrating his business endeavors with philanthropic goals, Bilton has shown that commercial success can go hand-in-hand with making a positive social contribution. His efforts have provided a model for sustainable development, showcasing how individual dedication to professional excellence and social responsibility can lead to broad and beneficial societal impacts. 

 

NGAI Wing Lam image
NGAI Wing Lam
Artist
NGAI Wing Lam image

NGAI Wing Lam

Artist

Ngai Wing Lam graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University. Ngai Wing-Lam, also known as Ant, is a Hong Kong-based artist celebrated for her surreal and introspective paintings. Ngai’s work prominently features koi fish-headed characters, inspired by her dreams and childhood experiences with pet fish. These hybrids symbolize her exploration of themes such as relationships, identity, and ambiguity. The speechless faces of the koi fish characters conceal inner emotions, reflecting the complexities of human connections and the fear of being different. Set against Hong Kong’s urban landscapes, her paintings capture the tension between reality and fantasy, inviting viewers to engage with narratives of alienation and individuality. Through this unique style, Ngai Wing-Lam offers a fantastical yet poignant exploration of personal and societal themes.

 

https://ngai-winglam.com/about.html

Sharon Cheung image
Sharon Cheung
Curator and Director of SC Gallery
Sharon Cheung image

Sharon Cheung

Curator and Director of SC Gallery

Sharon Cheung was a veteran and award- winning  journalist in HK with over 15 years of experience. She is a fellow of the Reuters Institute for Journalism at the University of Oxford and currently serves as the curator and director of SC Gallery.

Cheung earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), graduating  with first- class honours in 2022. Her art accolades included being on the Dean’s List , the Boon Lee Award  and the Asia winner of the Art for Change Prize organised by M&C Saatchi Group and Saatchi Gallery in 2022. She has exhibited in HK, London and Paris.

Sponsors and Supporters

SAFSP2026-HK_Logo_cropped
Organiser

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists

2024/25

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner
Nikola GAO
Nikola GAO art
Public Prize Winner
Lin Sze Wing, Cathy
Lin Sze Wing, Cathy art

2023

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner
Alyssa Mallorca
Alyssa Mallorca art
Public Prize Winner
Lee Chun, Jane
Lee Chun, Jane art

2022

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner
Mak Pui Ching
Mak Pui Ching art
Public Vote Prize Winner
Cheung Hoi Laam
Cheung Hoi Laam art

2021

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner
Hsu Ching Wai Harue
Hsu Ching Wai Harue art
Public Vote Prize Winner
Nip Tin Yan
Nip Tin Yan art

2020

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner
Chan Pak Hin
Chan Pak Hin art
Public Vote Prize Winner
Ip Chung Kiu
Ip Chung Kiu art

2019

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner (Secondary School)
Tam Shing Chi
Tam Shing Chi art
Judges Prize Winner (University)
Tonia Yu
Tonia Yu art
Public Vote Prize Winner (Secondary School)
Lam Ka Yin
Lam Ka Yin art
Public Vote Prize Winner (University)
Michelle Hui Mei Suet
Michelle Hui Mei Suet art

2017

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
First Prize Winner (Secondary School)
Madeline Ong Yu Ying
 Madeline Ong Yu Ying  art
First Prize Winner (University)
Shum Kwan Yi
 Shum Kwan Yi  art
Public Vote Prize Winner (University)
Pamela Lai
Pamela Lai art
Public Vote Prize Winner (Secondary School)
Ser Yuen Ka
Ser Yuen Ka art

2018

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner (Secondary School)
Chen Chunze
Chen Chunze art
Judges Prize Winner (University)
Liu Wai Hang
Liu Wai Hang art
Public Vote Prize Winner (Secondary School)
Ho Yi Ting Natalie
Ho Yi Ting Natalie art
Public Vote Prize Winner (University)
Tao Hoi Chuen
Tao Hoi Chuen art

2016

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner
Chow Hiu Tung
Chow Hiu Tung art
Public Vote Prize Winner
Chit Ng
Chit Ng art

2015

Prize Winners and Previous Finalists arrow
Judges Prize Winner
Li Tak Wai
Li Tak Wai art
Public Vote Prize Winner
Kwok Hoi Ching
Kwok Hoi Ching art