Tai Kwun's Creative Shops: Vintage, Green, Blue, Ceramics, and Art

April 28, 2023

I developed a likeness of visiting Tai Kwun for many reasons, and such include seeing different shop displays and art exhibitions that change seasonally. When I thought I already had explored the whole Barrack Block, I was wrong when last weekend, I wandered on its long archway on the upper floors and saw some rooms I haven't visited before.

I like visiting this historic compound again and again simply because there are always something new to see and admire, especially the art exhibitions and creative shop displays.

The Loveramics and PAP Studio were just two of the shops that I admired because of their distinct artistic items, combining art and craft making skills. I truly commend those artists who could do such artwork. Even the shop settings are enticing.

(Loveramics, the very first shop I visited in Tai Kwun)

Last Sunday was another day full of enticement and excitement, looking forward to exploring new spots within the historic compound.

Pre-loved Vintage Camera Shop

The first room that caught my attention was the Pre-loved Vintage Camera Shop. I failed to get its names so I'll call it that way since all items displayed were pre-loved vintage cameras. All cameras are cool and I even want to try one. They reminded me of my old digital cameras which I have almost forgotten.

These two are probably the oldest.

According to this site, the Minolta Autocard was produced in 1955 and is the most famous model of Minolta. Meanwhile, the Yashicaflex was produced between 1953-59. Just imagine their ages! They are as old as my late grandfather.

Meanwhile, this kind of polaroid was probably produced in the early 90s.

This Lomography is more like the latest one. Although it's plastic, I find it cool.

My favorites are these, too vintage with cool designs of Minolta and Olympus cameras.

I was curious if those are still working, and the store owner said yes, they are. Prices aren't really that high, rather reasonable given that they are vintage collections. But collecting them is probably just for displays. Practical photographers would definitely choose the latest with a better camera.

Bonart

The next store was Bonart. From the name itself, this shop focuses on art bonsai making in terraria or closed glass containers similar to aquariums that are perfect for room decor and gift items.

I love greens, and I love this shop. There are a lot of cute bonsais sealed in terraria with different shapes. It is truly a great feeling being surrounded by such green decor. They make me feel relaxed.

Aside from bonsai sealed in terraria, they also have these cute tiny toy decors. Such stuff is definitely perfect as gift items.

There are also preserved plants designed creatively to become home decor. Truly are great creative artworks.

There are plants in recycled bottles too. This shop truly cares about nature as they thought of recycling things to become more useful.

Their Smudge Kit is for natural cleansing, spiritual purification, and natural incense.

But among all, here are my favorites, the cute cacti, and succulents. I'm a cacti and succulents lover and I so wanted to purchase one. However, upon recalling the dead succulent I had in the past, I become hesitant to buy it as it might just die in my hands. I'm unfortunate not to inherit my parents' green thumb. I wish I could literally just color my thumb green to be able to grow plants, lol.

This is a one-stop shop for plant lovers. Items include pretty pots, fertilizers, plant foods, soil, and others necessary in home gardening.

Bonart also conducts workshops for those who want to learn how to decorate bonsai inside the terrarium. The fee depends on the kind of terrarium they wanted to decorate with bonsai and other toy decorations. This is great for creative young people as part of their weekend leisure activity.

Yuen's Tailor

At the west end of the archway was Yuen's Tailor. I initially thought it was just an ordinary tailor shop, but as I entered its small workspace and shop, I was awed by Yuen's collections. This become one of the attractions in the Barrack Block along with its interesting history.

Yuen's Tailor was originally established in 1974 in New Territories near the British Military Barracks. Then Yuen became acquainted with British military uniform and tailoring rich in tradition. The shop was appointed by the British Ministry of Defense to provide tailoring service to the British garrison forces.

Yuen's Tailor now showcases the Tartan series made from pure tartan cloth with Hong Kong's iconic local design in red, blue, and white canvas. There are bags, formal clothes, caps, phone cases, and even toys designed from the tartan canvas. The tailor shop also held workshops for those who want to learn its iconic tailor designs.

Touch Ceramics

Aside from Loveramics, another ceramics shop I like visiting here is Touch Ceramics.

Most creative ceramics on display are Chinese-style teapot sets. Some are ceramic wood designs. They aren't just perfect for morning and afternoon tea, but as well as gift items for tea lover friends. But if you are creative enough, you can use them as coffee pots and cups as well.

There are other pots, bowls, dining wares, and even glass teapots. Some are set ready to be packed and gifted to friends and families.

A cup of tea using any of these tea cups, you want? I definitely want to. This shop also has workshops for pottery making and ceramic designing.

Touch Gallery: Ho Sin Tung Solo Exhibition

Another room that caught my attention was an art exhibition gallery in blue concept, the Ho Sin Tung Solo Exhibition. There are several art galleries in Tai Kwun and Ho Sin opted to make his solo exhibition at Touch Gallery.

The first thing that caught my attention was a huge snake dangling on a light post. Later on, I understood the concept of putting a snake in the gallery with a connection to his artwork.

Ho Sin Tong is one of Hong Kong's local renowned artists who usually do solo exhibitions in different art galleries around Hong Kong, and sometimes collaborate with other local artists. This exhibition was entitled I Am Ready To Fight Every Night At 3:49 Am. This artwork probably shows himself who's ready to fight every night.

His artwork shows literary pieces and texts between reality and imagination. An example of which is his artwork below which illustrates so many thoughts about life and reality, such as saying NO to going back, forgetting, trusting a snake, twiddling, beware of the human soul, and others.

The artist's creative mind shows in every piece of his artwork which uses blue, white, and green as the main colors. And each canvas tells a unique story.

Would you mind getting this wall clock with nude body designs? Though creative, but not suitable for those with young ones.

There are different art galleries in this block with unique displayed artworks. The photo below was taken in Ora-ora. The artworks on display resemble metamorphosis and wildflowers. I probably deleted some photos taken in this gallery as I only saw this one.

Taschen Bookstore and Library*

Aside from creative shops and art galleries, there is Taschen Bookstore too for book lovers. As mentioned in my blog about The M+ Shop, Taschen books are carbon neutral which are definitely environmentally friendly. Visitors are also welcome to read books here if they simply don't want to purchase.

This compound is truly a great place for weekend relaxation. There are a lot of art exhibitions to see, creative shops to visit, fancy restaurants if you want some self-indulgence, art workshops for leisure, interesting events to watch, and other else while learning the history of the place as well.

The complete blog about Tai Kwun will be out soon, so stay tuned 😊.

Thanks for stopping by.

You can also reach me on my socials and let's be connected:

•Facebook
•YouTube
•Twitter
•noise.app
•read.cash