Realms of Memory: History Salon

Realms of Memory History Salon: Overseas Chinese Merchants, Aw Boon Haw and the Tiger Balm Mansion. With contributions from Kelvin Chan and Billy H.C. Kwok.

26 October 2024
2pm – 4pm. Location: Royal Photographic Society Auditorium.
Free but booking essential.
Language: Cantonese. 

History Salon (2.30pm-4pm)

Hong Kong has been a crucial site for connecting the overseas Chinese diaspora across Southeast Asia with China. This History Salon – organised by the University of Bristol’s Hong Kong History Centre – focuses on the story of Aw Boon Haw, the founder of Tiger Balm ointment and Sing Tao Daily newspaper. He began his medical business in Singapore, later shifting the headquarters to Hong Kong in the 1930s. He became one of the most successful overseas Chinese merchants by investing in philanthropy, architecture, and media. So, why did he come to Hong Kong? How did overseas investment shape the history of Hong Kong and modern China? Kelvin Chan will discuss the patterns of Chinese migration, explore the connections between China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, and highlight the lasting legacies of Aw through the Tiger-Balm Mansion. In addition, photographer Billy H.C. Kwok will share the ways he employs AI generation software to contest the memories and imaginations of the Tiger Balm Mansion, and how the derivative memories from these AI-generated images traverse between reality and illusion.

Pre-Salon Exhibition Guided Tour: Realms of Memory exhibition (2pm – 2:30pm)

Join a Cantonese language tour of the accompanying exhibition Realms of Memory, which includes Billy H.C. Kwok’s artistic exploration of the Tiger Balm mansion. The tour will be led by WMA, a Hong Kong-based art organisation. WMA is the programme partner of this Hong Kong History Salon, as well as a cultural partner of the Bristol Photo Festival 2024. 

Tickets 

Tickets are free however booking is essential. Please register your spot via Ticketpass: https://tktp.as/EGZERU

Venue

Royal Photographic Society, 337 Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3AR

Please note, both events will primarily be delivered in Cantonese. Refreshments will be provided.