Much of the world has come to a standstill as the coronavirus pandemic has spread. Many countries have imposed states of emergency and nationwide lockdowns. Most recently, Europe and the United States have been hit particularly hard. Some heads of state have described COVID-19 as the world’s greatest challenge since World War Two. Hong Kong has been facing not only that challenge, but other social challenges in the past year. In a group exhibition at Karin Weber Gallery, five local artists are reflecting on the role of art in troubled times and whether it has the power to encourage positivity and change.

Mexican artist Bosco Sodi makes sculptures and paintings using raw pigments and sawdust to create geological textures and portray landscapes and nature. Sodi came to Hong Kong last December and stayed for two weeks to create new works. Until the end of March, the Axel Vervoordt Gallery is presenting his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, and it’s one that showcases the city’s influence on his work.

Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki, who died on Sunday at the age of 86, was hailed as one of the greatest composers of our time.
He also had connections with Hong Kong, having been awarded an honorary fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and appointed as the University of Hong Kong’s 2015 Rayson Huang Fellow. He was here in Hong Kong in 2015 for a lecture-recital at the university, and to conduct his Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. While he was here, The Works spoke to him.