TK Chan | 陳紫君 | Wetland Birds

Bringing Migratory Birds to Life with Playful Ink Strokes

Hong Kong’s wetlands serve as an essential stopover for migratory birds along the East Asian flyway, hosting more than 550 species annually. Despite their ecological significance, these habitats and their feathered visitors remain fragile and often underappreciated. Inspired by these birds, TK has created a vibrant series of ink paintings full of energy and charm. Traditionally relegated to a supporting role in ink art, birds take centre stage in her works, sharing the stories of wetlands and nature.

香港濕地是東亞候鳥遷徙路線上的重要停留地，每年超過550種雀鳥在此駐足。然而，雀鳥和濕地的缺乏長期被忽視。TK以雀鳥為靈感，創作一系列充滿童趣與生命力的水墨畫作。雖然雀鳥常是水墨畫中的配角，但在陳紫君的筆下，牠們化身為主角，承載起濕地與大自然的故事。為準備此次展覽，TK多次前往香港濕地公園，觀察候鳥的棲息與遷徙，並與香港觀鳥會的專家深入交流，學習各種雀鳥的特性與行為，將牠們的神態融入創作中。

Home

Migrant Harmony 遷徙的和諧

Ink On Paper
68 x 68cm (2025)

This artwork depicts a serene gathering of both migrant birds visiting Hong Kong and resident birds that call it home, peacefully assembled around a vibrant wetland. Each bird showcases its unique feathers and colors, symbolizing the beauty of their breeding seasons. The piece captures the artist's vision of their long lives and the continuity of generations, emphasizing that all creatures coexist without distinction. The harmonious scene illustrates the essence of nature’s diversity, inviting viewers to appreciate the richness of life that the wetlands support.

作品描繪了遷徙鳥類和留在香港的常駐鳥類在濕地旁悠然聚集的和諧畫面。每隻鳥都展現出獨特的羽毛和色彩，象徵著繁殖季節的美麗。作品捕捉了藝術家對鳥類長壽和代代相傳的願景，強調所有生物的共存沒有區別。和諧的畫面展現了自然多樣性的本質，邀請觀眾一同感受濕地所孕育的豐富生命。

Distance 距離

Ink On Paper
70 x 140cm x 2 (2025)

“Distance” is a pair of ink paintings that illustrate the winter migration of birds along the East Asian flyway, measuring an impressive 3 meters in length. The artwork seamlessly blends traditional techniques with contemporary visual elements, showcasing various migratory birds such as the black-faced spoonbill, Black-capped Kingfisher, and Yellow-breasted Bunting soaring through different cities and seasons, symbolizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
This piece not only highlights the intricate relationship between urban architecture and the natural environment but also emphasizes the importance of protecting migratory bird habitats. Through its vibrant colors and intricate details, viewers can experience the magnificent journey of these birds and the resilience of life itself. "Distance" invites reflection on the distance between humans and these natural messengers, encouraging a deeper understanding of our relationship with the natural world.

《距離》是一對展現冬季遷徙鳥類通過東亞飛行路徑的水墨畫作品，長達3米，融合了傳統藝術技法與現代視覺元素。作品中描繪了多種遷徙鳥類，如黑臉琵鷺、藍翡翠和黃胸鵐「禾花雀」，它們在不同城市和季節中翱翔，象徵著生態系統之間的相互聯繫。
這幅作品不僅展示了城市建築與自然環境的錯綜關係，還強調了保護遷徙鳥類棲息地的重要性。透過色彩繽紛的畫面和精緻的細節，觀眾能夠感受到鳥類遷徙的壯麗旅程與生命的韌性。《距離》同時探討了我們與這些自然使者之間的距離，促使人們反思人類與自然界的關係。

Wings of Hope: The Migrant's Quest 希望之翼：候鳥的翱翔

Ink On Paper
70 x 140cm x 2 (2025)

This artwork beautifully illustrates the perspective of migratory birds gliding over Hong Kong, seeking out vital wetlands where they can rest and rejuvenate during their remarkable journey along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. As they navigate the landscape, they symbolize hope and resilience amidst the rapid development of our city, which has reshaped the land for various uses.
This transformation offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can harmonize human progress with the preservation of nature. This piece encourages a positive dialogue about creating sustainable spaces that support both wildlife and communities, celebrating our shared responsibility in nurturing a balanced ecosystem.

這幅作品優美地描繪了候鳥在香港上空滑翔的視角，尋找重要的濕地讓它們在東亞—澳大拉西亞的壯麗遷徙途中休息和恢復活力。儘管城市急速發展，土地用途不斷重塑，當候鳥在天空飛翔時，仍然象徵着希望和韌性。
這一轉變為我們提供了反思的機會，讓我們思考如何協調人類進步與自然保護之間的關係。作品鼓勵人們積極探討如何創造可持續的空間，支持野生動物和社區，肩負維護生態平衡的共同責任。

Friendship at the Pond 塘邊的友誼

Ink on Paper
70 x 140cm (2025)

This painting beautifully captures the harmonious relationship between migrant birds and humans within a fish pond, resembling a man-made wetland. The scene portrays a collaborative environment where people and birds work together, benefiting one another in their daily activities.

The composition features essential elements for maintaining this ecosystem, such as precipitation, sun-drying ponds, and duckling ponds, along with river flows that create inviting habitats for various types of migrant birds. These practices illustrate the symbiotic relationship between nature and human endeavours.

The backdrop of urban skyscrapers juxtaposes nature and human development, illustrating the potential for coexistence. Above, the sky glows with the warm hues of sunrise, symbolising hope and new beginnings. On the right side of the painting, a little girl represents both the artist and the younger generation, symbolising hope and continuity. Her presence signifies that our current actions have a significant impact on the future, emphasizing the importance of nurturing this connection with nature for the sake of the next generation.

畫作優美地捕捉了遷徙鳥類與人類在魚塘中和諧共處的關係，這個魚塘類似於人造濕地。畫面描繪了一種協作的環境，人們與鳥類共同工作，彼此受益於日常活動。
作品中包含了維持這一生態系統的關鍵元素，如降水、曬塘、剷塘、鴨仔塘和河流，這些元素共同創造出適合各類遷徙鳥類的宜人棲息地。這些做法展示了自然與人類努力之間的共生關係。
背景中的城市摩天大樓與自然環境形成鮮明對比，展示了共存的潛力。在上方，天空泛著晨曦的溫暖色調，象徵著希望和新開始。在畫的右側，一位小女孩代表了藝術家和年輕一代，象徵著希望和延續。她的存在意味著我們當前的行動對未來具有重要影響，強調了為下一代培養與自然聯繫的重要性。