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Hong Kong Students Prize

Established in 2012, The Hong Kong Students Prize is open to all enrolled secondary school students in Hong Kong.

 

Entry is closed.

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.

Click here for T&Cs: ENG | CHI

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.

Shortlist

Alyssa Mallorca
It All Advances To A Blur image
Judges’ Prize Winner
It All Advances To A Blur
Lee Chun, Jane
Old Street image
Public Vote Winner
Old Street
Li Ka Man
《New God》 image
《New God》
Fu Ka Ying, Karine
《傢》 image
《傢》
Liu Wei
An Empty Nester Stamp Set image
An Empty Nester Stamp Set
So Man Yiu
Band 3 Student Label image
Band 3 Student Label
Bethany Kerr
Beneath the skin image
Beneath the skin
Tan Yat Hei
Bystander image
Bystander
Wong Lok Hei
Fat or Thin? image
Fat or Thin?
Huang Kai Ip
Free-accessible Door  image
Free-accessible Door
Lau Tsz Ching Adsila
I mean, daddy & mommy, didn't you want me to get straight As? image
I mean, daddy & mommy, didn’t you want me to get straight As?
Sophia Heard
Release image
Release
Kwan Chi Yuen
Relax for a While image
Relax for a While
Bella Roscoe
Resurrected Roses image
Resurrected Roses
Lui Ho Yin
The Happiness of The Past image
The Happiness of The Past
Jade Szeto
The Infinite imagination of children image
The Infinite imagination of children
Huang Tsz Shan
Whirlpool image
Whirlpool
Michelle Zhou
人山人海 image
人山人海
Ho Pui Yi
Mirror  image
Mirror
Lee Yee Lam Bernice
Moving On image
Moving On
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01 / 20

Alyssa Mallorca

It All Advances To A Blur image

Alyssa Mallorca

It All Advances To A Blur
School: West Island School
Dimension: 101 x 76cm
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Age: 18

If I were to describe the central concept that drives my exhibition, it would be the exploration of decay in both tangible and intangible things. Initially, I explored decay in tangible subject matters such as dried leaves, withered flowers and the human skin — and what it elicits about the fragility and indifference of life. I then explored society’s fixation on youthful beauty, and our shared fear of our bodies deteriorating as we age. My remaining pieces then focus on the lives of people I am familiar with; my grandma and my helper – in which I explore how our desire to seek life’s purpose decays as we tirelessly devote our lives to certain people or lifestyles. This broad investigation on impermeability and life is intended to question what we dedicate our limited time to, and whether it feels meaningful to us.

02 / 20

Lee Chun, Jane

Old Street image

Lee Chun, Jane

Old Street
School: Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section)
Dimension: 38 x 27cm
Medium: Fountain Pen
Age: 14

Fountain pen is one of my favourite drawing tools. Most of the paintings we come into contact with are watercolour paintings, oil paintings or sketches, but a fountain pen is actually a very special tool. It can write and paint. Sometimes it can present a sharp stroke, and sometimes it can create different textures. Although there’s only black and white, it makes use of its contrast to create light and shade, which makes a scene more realistic and has its own unique style. Moreover, the use of the variety of strokes can represent different objects successfully. Even though I live in a modern city, I love the old streets. The street scenery and shops that I pass by every day can actually become beautiful pictures. People always forget the old things, so I chose to use such media to capture this old street in my drawing forever.

03 / 20

Li Ka Man

《New God》 image

Li Ka Man

《New God》
School: NISI Peace Erangelical Secondary School
Dimension: 40 x 55cm
Medium: Watercolour
Age: 17

The current trend of idolizing celebrities in society is akin to the past worship of grand idols. While it is natural for fans to admire celebrities, excessive idolization has become fanatical, resembling the superstitious behaviors of the past feudal system. For example, just as innocent girls were sacrificed to gods, modern-day fans may engage in online harassment of ordinary netizens. I plan to depict the irrationality and excessive worship of celebrity idolization in the form of a thangka. Celebrities will be portrayed as divine idols, while fans will be depicted as celestial beings, surrounding the stars and creating a sacred atmosphere. Elaborate clouds, gemstones, and floral patterns will symbolize the passion and adoration of the fans. Simultaneously, by illustrating the phenomena of celebrity worship, I aim to provoke reflection among the audience. Through satire and humor, I hope to showcase the absurdity and extremity of celebrity idolization.

04 / 20

Fu Ka Ying, Karine

《傢》 image

Fu Ka Ying, Karine

《傢》
School: Ma On Shan Tsung Tsin Secondary School
Dimension: 100 x 65cm
Medium: Acrylic
Age: 17

“In my opinion, a family is not complete simply by filling it with furniture, but with love and trust. I come from a broken family, living with only my mother and surrounded by a house full of furniture. However, it’s not the same as my childhood, when my father was also a part of our lives. Now, he lives separately in our old house, the place where I have countless memories of my childhood. Although I used to visit him every Saturday, it’s not the same anymore. The furniture remains the same, but people have changed. I have changed. This place, which used to be so familiar and comforting, now only reminds me of painful memories that I find difficult to bear.
In this artwork, I would like to use blue and red cellophane paper to emphasize the significance of my home and the emotions of a child who carries these memories.”

05 / 20

Liu Wei

An Empty Nester Stamp Set image

Liu Wei

An Empty Nester Stamp Set
School: Po On Commercial Association Wong Siu Ching Secondary School
Dimension: 32 x 22cm
Medium: Coloured pencil on paper
Age: 19

An empty nest life is an endless cycle and reincarnation. Once entered, it will only follow the changing times and fall into an irreversible repetition. I hope that people, upon seeing my works, can introspect and contemplate whether they have inadvertently facilitated the emergence of empty nesters, realizing the need to provide more companionship and care to their parents. While balancing our own family and career development, we should not overlook the emotional needs of our parents.

06 / 20

So Man Yiu

Band 3 Student Label image

So Man Yiu

Band 3 Student Label
School: NLSI Peace Evangelical Secondary School
Dimension: 75 x 100cm
Medium: Pencil drawing on memo paper and Socially engaged art
Age: 16

“What is your impression of Band 3 students in Hong Kong? In a society that rationalizes labeling, people tend to unconsciously label Band 3 students as having poor academic performance and being mischievous. The labeling effect may attack students’ self-esteem.

The artwork titled ‘Band 3 Student Label’ is a thought-provoking piece that delves into the societal impact of educational categorization in Hong Kong. Through this participatory art project,hope to remind people not to view Band 3 students through biased lenses. Inviting individuals from different backgrounds, including students, teachers,and parents, to participate in this Societal Participatory Art project and express their impressions of Band 3 students.The artwork represents the collective perspectives of these participants, with the central figure being a representation of a Band 3 student formed by the labels assigned to them.

07 / 20

Bethany Kerr

Beneath the skin image

Bethany Kerr

Beneath the skin
School: Harrow International School Hong Kong
Dimension: 60 x 42cm
Medium: Mixed medium (acrylic & colour pencil)
Age: 16

A realistic portrait based on the theme of “Lock” with a twist of abstract patterns. This artwork symbolizes the stress and overwhelm of your own thoughts however, at the same time, they bring ideas and creativity into the world as well. The contrasting red and green tones emphasise the dichotomy between them. I took inspiration from the circular patterns as well as the use of a deep red colour in Ashley Blanton’s work. To do this I mixed red paint with soap and blew bubbles to stain the wood. The use of negative space and the realistic style was also inspired by Wan Jin Gim after studying his art.

08 / 20

Tan Yat Hei

Bystander image

Tan Yat Hei

Bystander
School: CCC Kei Yuen College
Dimension: 55 x 70cm
Medium: Mixed medium
Age: 17

In this artwork, there is a spaceman facing directly forward, with a background composed of squares of varying sizes. Fish of varying sizes swim among the squares, symbolizing the food chain and the law of the jungle. The spaceman’s glass face shield reflects these squares and fish, but the spaceman’s expression is vacant, as if he cannot see any of it. He simply gazes forward like an observer. This represents how the ecological environment of the ocean is given an extremely low priority in human technological development. People often choose to ignore news related to this issue, such as the Japanese nuclear waste dumping incident, with some claiming that the impact of nuclear waste on the ocean is fleeting. However, the majority of people remain silent and become bystanders.

09 / 20

Wong Lok Hei

Fat or Thin? image

Wong Lok Hei

Fat or Thin?
School: Ma On Shan Tsung Tsin Secondary School
Dimension: 130 x 91cm
Medium: Digital Art
Age: 17

“Fat or Thin?” is my critique of toxic beauty standards prevalent in society. This painting is set in a train cart, where weight-loss advertisements are most commonly seen. It reflects on these trends and how they negatively impact my confidence and mental health, feeling as if I’m constantly being mocked. This is depicted in the artwork through the wicked smiling faces of everyone, drawing inspiration from Yue Minjun’s “Cynical Realism”, which employs absurd emotions to critique society. I created this artwork with the hope of raising awareness about the harmful slimming culture of our generation and exploring the love-hate relationship I have with my body. To evoke a sense of uneasiness and creepiness, the main tone of the artwork is dark green, accentuated by a significant contrast. The composition also uses the suffocating design of the train cart to symbolize how I was trapped within these societal expectations.

10 / 20

Huang Kai Ip

Free-accessible Door  image

Huang Kai Ip

Free-accessible Door
School: Po On Commercial Association Wong Siu Ching Secondary School
Dimension: 65 x 65 x 58cm
Medium: Potter
Age: 18

choices are available everywhere in your personal life, you could determine your future by either repeating your own mistakes or choosing a new path.

11 / 20

Lau Tsz Ching Adsila

I mean, daddy & mommy, didn't you want me to get straight As? image

Lau Tsz Ching Adsila

I mean, daddy & mommy, didn’t you want me to get straight As?
School: Chiu Lut Sau Memorial Secondary School
Dimension: 79 x 79cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 18

“The inspiration for this piece comes from my personal experiences. I used to impose immense academic pressure on myself, constantly brainwashing myself with the belief that it was what my parents wanted. However, just like the chains depicted in the painting, I was the one restraining myself.

Looking back, what I thought was a noble spirit of self-sacrifice was merely a way to justify my own dissatisfaction with life, again and again.

“If it weren’t for studying, why would I give up painting?”
“If it weren’t for studying, why would I have no social life?”

I hope to give this artwork to my parents, who have been misunderstood by me but have silently supported me all along.

12 / 20

Sophia Heard

Release image

Sophia Heard

Release
School: West Island School
Dimension: 59 x 84cm
Medium: Oil painting, charcoal and conte on cardboard paper
Age: 18

A large part of my work has been centred around the theme of beauty and decay, due to the fear of the natural life cycle coming to an end. In particular, impermanence and deconstruction through earthy shades of neutral-colours. One dry media work, entitled Lost belongings, was a representation of healing and disease, how it correlates to the journey in life. The natural world intrigued me, its mobility to control time, weather and preserve natural life. The story for The painted veil utilising reusable plastic and concrete fused into traditional Thai Sarongs. This is to reflect the long hours of labour villagers have to endure with detailed rice grains, fungi and organic organisms I collected during my time farming in Isaan-Thailand. Thus, encouraging our audience to let go of all the darkness caused by COVID-19 that no longer corrupts the lives of animals and plants who have spent their entire lives discovering cycles, patterns, and solutions for mankind. Ultimately, I hope to have embodied the lives of these animals across my work and represent their death in rice fields with the theme of breaking free.

13 / 20

Kwan Chi Yuen

Relax for a While image

Kwan Chi Yuen

Relax for a While
School: TWGHs SCGaw Memorial College
Dimension: 29 x 42cm
Medium: Marker pen
Age: 16

In this bustling city at night, endless work makes people tired. Why not take a break? Going for a short walk or sitting in an alley can relax our mind and body.

14 / 20

Bella Roscoe

Resurrected Roses image

Bella Roscoe

Resurrected Roses
School: West Island School
Dimension: 119 x 38cm
Medium: Mixed media – etching, textiles
Age: 18

‘Resurrected Roses’ is a mixed media piece, reflecting the difficulty of preserving what once was. Woven in-between each tear is a different etching print, capturing the process of a dying rose. The rose is symbolic of many things; love, beauty, pain – all words of impermanence. There is a feeling of comfort within routine, however as hard as we may try to preserve ourselves from change, this is inevitable. There is both beauty and pain in the comfort of impermanence. Whilst the loss of someone/something we love fills us with grief, we must acknowledge the beauty of living in a transient world, taking each opportunity we are given. This piece is a reminder that there is always beauty to be found within decay.

15 / 20

Lui Ho Yin

The Happiness of The Past image

Lui Ho Yin

The Happiness of The Past
School: Jockey Club Ti-I College
Dimension: 51 x 61cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 16

“Do you still have the innocent heart and boundless curiosity of your childhood?
As we grow older, many people forget that they once had that precious curiosity. Let’s try our best to recall the curious self of the past, and you will surely gain priceless happiness.

16 / 20

Jade Szeto

The Infinite imagination of children image

Jade Szeto

The Infinite imagination of children
School: Good Hope School
Dimension: 35 x 45cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 17

This painting illustrates how children can have such infinite and wild imagination more than any other adults. As the main character in the middle is creating worlds and creatures, with the support of his father, his imagination continue to spread out infinitely in form of a spiral. It is important for parents to support and embrace them to have a heart that “dare to imagine and create.

17 / 20

Huang Tsz Shan

Whirlpool image

Huang Tsz Shan

Whirlpool
School: CCC Kei Yuen College
Dimension: 59 x 84cm
Medium: Mixed media
Age: 16

With the rapid development of the Internet, more and more people have become internet celebrities in pursuit of quick traffic and profits. They showcase their talents online to gain high popularity and tips. In my work, I demonstrate how people use various advantages to attract the public’s attention, such as holding lipstick or a microphone, representing internet celebrities gaining attention through their talents and outstanding appearance. The abundance of roses and hearts in the imagery represents the fans’ fervent love for internet celebrities. Through this work, I hope to bring attention to the rampant issue of internet celebrity culture.

18 / 20

Michelle Zhou

人山人海 image

Michelle Zhou

人山人海
School: West Island School
Dimension: 20 x 120 x 15cm
Medium: Mixed media – wood, charcoal, conte, concrete
Age: 18

“The nuances, complexities and values that make up our humanity are concepts that deeply intrigue me. Our lives are each a unique narrative respective to the individual, however, commonality and connection are born through our shared experiences.
A large part of my work has been centered around the theme of place, due to the ability to find one’s identity and its connection to places in time. In my works, I aim to depict and capture the impermanence of place, the reality of segregated connections and disparities within societies. Using metaphors as nuances of human identity within a place; the place being the society we live in, where we deem ourselves a part of and portraying a disparity of how each individual is uniquely distinct, focusing on human segregation vs. connection.

19 / 20

Ho Pui Yi

Mirror  image

Ho Pui Yi

Mirror
School: China Holiness Church Living Spirit College
Dimension: 42 x 59cm
Medium: Marker pen on canvas
Age: 17

This is the picture represents the true appearance of a woman seeing her own reflection in a mirror, her favorite activities, games, roles, etc. And use blue, purple and pink for visual distinction.

20 / 20

Lee Yee Lam Bernice

Moving On image

Lee Yee Lam Bernice

Moving On
School: Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School
Dimension: 91 x 61cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 15

Digging through my childhood possessions, I found rubber stamps handmade by my mum a decade ago. These stamps depict whimsical characters, mostly imaginary friends that accompanied my play times during childhood. These characters are painted in their original 2D form, walking away from my dollhouse, into a multi-dimensional future. I hope this piece can serve as a memento of childhood innocence, joy and creativity, as well as exploring the transience of time. This painting also aims to reflect on what the youth takes and leaves behind as one grows up, and what gifts we can keep with us as we journey on to the next chapter of life.

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Thanks for voting!

Yuen Sheung Nga_Unchanged beauty Key Dates mobile image

Key Dates

Submission Period

20 June — 18 July 2023

Shortlist Announcement

22 September 2023 —

Finalists Exhibition

6 — 12 November 2023

Awards Ceremony

— 12 November 2023

Events and Exhibitions

Central Market Venue
The Hong Kong Students Prize Finalists Exhibition

Venue: Central Market
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday | 10am – 7pm
Dates: 6 – 12 November
Admission: Free

Judges

Angela Li image
Angela Li
Founder of Contemporary by Angela Li
Angela Li image

Angela Li

Founder of Contemporary by Angela Li

Angela Li is the founder of Contemporary by Angela Li, representing emerging and established artists from Hong Kong, China and beyond since its establishment in 2008. Angela holds a degree in Business Mathematics & Statistics from the London School of Economics & Political Science, University of London. She was a banker at HSBC and later set up her own art consultancy company. Since its establishment, her gallery has gained considerable attention under Angela’s direction, bringing artists and exhibitions of the highest standards to the local and international art scene. She is also a founding member and President Emeritus of the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association. 

Denise Tsui image
Denise Tsui
Managing Editor for Sotheby’s Asia
Denise Tsui image

Denise Tsui

Managing Editor for Sotheby’s Asia

Denise Tsui is a writer, editor and content strategist. Based in Hong Kong, Tsui is currently the Managing Editor for Sotheby’s Asia. Previously she was Managing Editor for CoBo Social where she specialised in contemporary art and art market dynamics. She received BA in Fine Arts and MA in Art Curatorship from the University of Melbourne and once served as curator for a private collection of Australian and New Zealand art.

Howard Bilton image
Howard Bilton
Founder and Chairman  
Howard Bilton image

Howard Bilton

Founder and Chairman  

Howard Bilton is Chairman and founder of The Sovereign Group. Howard holds a joint honours BA degree in classics and law from the University of Keele and is qualified as a Barrister and called to the Bars of England/Wales and Gibraltar.  

He is a visiting non-resident professor at Texas A and M University where he assists with their LLM and Masters degrees in International Tax and Offshore Centres.  

In 2003 he formed The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) which runs a range of art prizes designed to increase the exposure of artists in the region, while raising money to help disadvantaged children.  

SAF has raised over US$11 million which has been used to help thousands of disadvantaged children using expressive arts as a means of education and rehabilitation.  

Howard has a personal art collection comprising around 420 pieces made by a wide range of artists from students to internationally famous artists.   

He has acted as a judge on various Sovereign sponsored art prizes in Hong Kong, Bahrain, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, London, Malta, Mauritius, Portugal and Singapore.  He has also acted as a nominator for the Sovereign professional prizes in Africa and Portugal. 

Howard is the Founder and Chairman of Howard’s Folly Wines, Portugal. All wines use art on the labels and often feature work by finalists of the various Sovereign art prizes or children taught by SAF. A proportion of the revenue from wine sales goes to support SAF. 

 

Sophie Cheung image
Sophie Cheung
Artist, Finalist for The 2023 Sovereign Asian Art Prize
Sophie Cheung image

Sophie Cheung

Artist, Finalist for The 2023 Sovereign Asian Art Prize

Sophie Cheung Hing Yee (b. 1983, Hong Kong) holds an MA in Applied Anthropology and Community Arts from Goldsmiths, University of London, London (2022) and a BA in Fine Arts from RMIT and Hong Kong Art School, Hong Kong (2020). A life-long advocate of social inclusion, with a particular interest in disability rights, Cheung explores in-betweenness: acts of simultaneous addition and subtraction. Reminiscent of classical painting, yet rooted in contemporary social issues, her practice harnesses found objects in oblique reference to ‘arte povera’ and ‘mono-ha’. Her use of plastics delineates the passage of time and draws comparisons between colour and art history in the East and West.

Cheung has exhibited at Art Basel Hong Kong (2023); in Erasing Time, Ora-Ora, Hong Kong (2022) and Asia Now, Paris (2022).

Sponsors and Supporters

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Gift Sponsor
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Prize Winners and Previous Finalists

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