British Hong Kong - 1997- Chinese Hong Kong
"A year sketching the events leading up to the handover,
the packing up of this, once remarkable British Colony in 1996-97 ...was fascinating...
In 2019, I was encouraged to keep documenting the changes.
The pivot of communication from East to West Hong Kong is still
today, highly visible and controversial in World affairs"
To receive the monthly blog on the books' progress
do contact me at 'contact' in the menu.
2024 JANUARY
For so long, production tiptoed along without any feeling of progress. Now, with over half edited the last hurdles are approaching. God willing, we will see results this year.....'well, let's give it a go'. A live meeting with the editor is imminent, to discuss how best to present controversial issues from demonstrations in 2019 to political challenges. As China established management of this once British colony, so too is Hong Kong reviving the vibrant energy it is famous for. Like a fruit of nature, it's season is nigh. To be, not only the gateway to the West but the Catalyst of The Greater Bay Area which embraces nine cities in South China working closely together.
May...The year of the Dragon be a very special year for you. Pam
2023 SEPTEMBER
Time flies and yes these months have been busy...It is hard to tell what has been done, so many details, fixing this and that. Contributors have been very helpful and kind. I reckon 50% of the book is edited. Whether the times after the handover can be consolidated into as interesting sense and colourful pages is to find out. I have visions of the editor quitting overnight! but she continues to be professional and patient. Any fears of losing copious digital images and information were put aside years ago when I subscribed to the ‘cloud’ as a safety net. It was recently discovered that my, ’thoughtful' concern of ‘having all on a cloud’ had not actually been there at all. Fortunately, the gods have kept a watchful eye on this spot…and all is safe. So many business support teams are morphing onto 'online only'...after three days of questions and queries online, offline and wherewithal, I found a crack team of techies…based in Shri Lanka. The best communicators who understand and manage all the sinking, swimming, flying and floating pieces of cloud digidata. I am blessed...real people at the end of a telephone line, at anytime who communicate easily and work efficiently. It's still the only system I can truly comprehend.
I hope your Summer was good, Pam
JUNE 2023
Sunny days are here in London. Blue skies really do help to gaze at while paintings are painted and editing is in full swing. Sue Brattle, ex-editor of the FCC Correspondent magazine is working with me now. With her patience and expertise we have a good balance and combination of a professional wordsmith and a visual ‘person’. Technical miracles continue to surprise me. Just recently, how to invite a person to review book pages in InDesign online, was discovered. Magical. Typical, Its easy when you know how… What is the expression, 'learning on the job'. I can see why such works begin with a structure, certainly sensible....where's the fun in that? So, there are plenty of hiccups and details to fix on the way, along with the fear it all may lose that rough, edgy, sketch style. It may well create a style of its' own. At least, legible to most which will be a bonus. Current reactions are good. I have put up some paintings in progress, hope you enjoy them. Pam
2023 APRIL
The last stretch of preparing the
book for publishing is in motion. I have often felt unqualified to direct and
produce this ‘idea’ on my own, quite apart from having a ninety percent visual
brain with little academic flair for order. As a fleeting visitor to Hong Kong,
I cannot judge what really works and what doesn’t. There are currently, 250 double page spreads of sketches and copy. Now, I am exploring with an editor
who knows Hong Kong well to find a common ground for the facts, visuals and sketch
notes to sit comfortably together. The final series of images are in progress to show some classic moments in Chinese Culture and fill some
gaps in continuity. The
fabulous flower market and local garden nursery at Chinese New
Year in February. The country walks, with hundreds of ancient steps negotiating the ways up high hills in the National country parks.. So unique to Hong Kong. The monthly blog
is back, to keep you posted on these final steps toward a publishing date.
Enjoy the Summer everyone, Pam
Thank you for visiting the website
MARCH 2022
Much has been happening which has affected the outcome of this book. However, still a candid collection of memories and sketches to document and honour two cultures, British and Chinese. It promised to be a fascinating and challenging time for all, no doubt with unexpected twists and turns. The agreed Joint Declaration was in place, announcing a period of 50 years for Hong Kong to be governed by, 'one country with two systems'. The task, for China to seamlessly merge the Hong Kong lifestyle with China’s was something to watch. Could Hong Kong develop into a Hong Kong, with say, Chinese characteristics? Mass, millions, took part in peaceful demonstrations, wanting to talk, discuss with the government. 2019, witnessed violent riots. The sheer chaos of Hong Kong was put on the world map. China had to do something, daily life in Hong Kong was out of hand. The National Security Law was set up in Hong Kong in 2021. The law passed, now a year in force. People are silenced. Hong Kong is quiet as the red line keeps moving...history is blanked........ Bless you all, Pam