Street Life Topography On HK's MTR Station Facade

August 28, 2023

Every time I intersect at Sai Ying Pun MTR (Mass Transit Rail) Station, I always spend time appreciating the simple life stories told through art on the facade. The artwork isn't simply painted murals, but a bas-relief panel which is part of the station's architecture.

This amazing artwork is made by Louise Soloway Chan with the concept of Sai Ying Pun's street life topography which is portrayed during the changing of seasons.

Hong Kong is known for its skyscrapers and modern architecture, but this artwork shows the simple neighborhood of Sai Ying Pun and is also a typical view in other streets outside big cities. Anyone who visited Hong Kong could attest to these scenes that surely are captivating. At some point, you can compare those street life scenes to your expectations when hearing about the modern country, Hong Kong. I'm sure expectations and reality are a bit different, except for the fact that those streets are busy and the city is dense.

For those who haven't been to Hong Kong, this artwork will allow you to see street life and imagine more scenic views in other parts of Hong Kong with the same concept.

Those are HK typical street scenes: road constructions; hanging roasted chicken, duck, and pork in a food stall; Chinese herbal medicine and fermented food stores; neat wet market along the street; Chinese food shops; local stores; lanterns; orange trees; busy pedestrians; tram crossing; and others.

But the scenes in this artwork aren't just random, because each panel has a different perspective and portrays scenes during different seasons.

For instance, the panel with orange trees depicts the coming of Chinese New Year which is the most important occasion for Chinese people in the winter season. Markets, especially fruit and flower markets, are usually the busiest since people are buying auspicious orange trees, flowers, and other lucky items for home decorations.

You can check these blogs to have a glimpse of Hong Kong's busy street markets during the arrival of the Chinese New Year. Similar scenes happen during the Mid-Autumn Festival which is another important occasion for Chinese people.

Night Walk At Prince Edward Street Market)

Pre-CNY Shopping At Prince Edward Flower Market

The panel with a scene where street cleaners are clearing the streets with fallen leaves and broken trees depicts the street scene after the typhoon which usually happens during the summer or spring seasons.

The panel with a scene with bunny lanterns, pumpkins, and different decorations depicts the street life in the Mid-Autumn Festival preparation during the autumn season.

In case you are curious about this artistic station, you can travel to Sai Ying Pun Station, and look for the entrance or Exit to B1 and B2 elevator lobby concourse. There's also a huge black-and-white mural on the facade near the elevator lobby going to the Art Lane exit.

This is just the inside artwork in Sai Ying Pun. There's an Art Lane outside the station where you can see a lane of residential buildings painted with different art murals. I guess, this place is the art capital of Hong Kong if I'm not mistaken. You'll see it in my next post about this place.

See you in my next travel blog. Thanks for stopping by.

(All photos are mine)

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