HKWALLS Festival 2024 brings vibrant colours to the city

HKWALLS Festival 2024 unites global artists and the local community in a celebration of street art across Kowloon and Hong Kong Island until March 31, showcasing the work of over 30 artists from around the world. 

Artists painted their work on donated walls, and people can stop by and appreciate the progress of their work to promote street art in Hong Kong. 

Jonathan Pauwels, known as Jaune, a 38-year-old street artist from Belgium, was invited to paint for this festival. 

“In Belgium, the street art is more savage, a bit more like everywhere and without control,” Jaune said.  “I feel like it is more difficult to make street art in Hong Kong as it is most likely to be illegal here. It’s more like I was hiding to create my artwork.”

The festival not only serves as a platform for established artists but also fosters emerging talent. Ailina Kabdullina, a 19-year-old visual art student from Kazakhstan studying at Hong Kong Baptist University, joined as a mentee to support Jaune during the festival. 

Kabdullina said working on a narrow street bustling with passersby was a remarkable experience and was inspired by the genuine interest people have in street art.

Tim Lam, 38, another mentee at HKWALLS, said she joined the event to learn and try more about street art while collaborating with famous artists. 

"It's a rare opportunity for me to work alongside the street art community," Lam said.

"What really stood out to me," Kabdullina said, "was that as mentees, we weren't just assisting the artists. We were encouraged to actively seek knowledge and insight from our mentors."

A total of 20 mentees are involved in this year’s festival. “After assisting the artists and learning more about their techniques, their life hacks, it was great to create something on our own,” said Kabdullina.

Julia Marinelli, known by her alias JUM, is a 28-year-old Brazilian artist based in Hong Kong who has also been invited to paint for the event. She shared her perspective on how the festival promotes street art. 

 "I think it’s very important because people who aren't really into art and those who don’t typically visit museums or galleries can experience it on the street," said JUM. "It’s in the public space and it’s accessible to everyone."