Art Central 2024 has wrapped up, but several works still linger in our minds. One such work is the rich blue hues and dynamic poses of Shadow Boxing by Ho Sin Tung. As the first Hong Kong artist to be commissioned by the Fair for a major installation, we couldn’t resist the chance to sit down with the artist and discover the inspiration and process behind this piece.
View this post on Instagram
Ho Sin Tung’s first encounter with martial arts was simply by chance. “My friend brought me to a boxing gym and that was it,” she said. It was love at first sight. “I have never stopped since then. My friend stopped going weeks later.
“I used to understand the world through words and research,” she continued. “Martial arts is just another way of contemplating and experiencing life, but through body and action. It introduced me to another world. It serves as an anchor for my disorganised life because I need to discipline myself surrounding it. Your mind becomes sharper when you have a stronger physique.”
She began exploring martial arts and branched out to other forms, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and Muay Thai, which became a regular part of her routine. Eventually, she decided to open up and transform part of her art studio into Good Night Gym, describing it as a “cultural sports space.” This is where she worked on her installation and found inspiration. “I paint when people are exercising around me,” she said. “Martial arts and art are present in the same space!”
View this post on Instagram
Shadow Boxing was born from this love, featuring four sets of figures corresponding with the four martial arts offered at her gym — BJJ, Muay Thai, Capoeira, Kali or Kalis, and yoga. “Shadowboxing itself is a common practice when we’re training alone. It’s a good exercise for your muscle memory and imagination,” she explained. “It’s a reminder of patience and preservation.”
All four martial arts were born from the intermixing of cultures. Kali blended traditional Filipino martial arts with Spanish fencing techniques. A Japanese judo master brought judo (known as Kano jiu-jitsu at the time) to Brazil, where the locals later adapted it into BJJ. Muay Thai was influenced by other Asian cultures to develop into the martial art we know today. Capoeira evolved when Africans in Brazil masked their martial art practice as dancing and acrobatics.
On the right, you’ll find an imposing woman with dark blue skin and four arms, each of them holding a different item. This pictures Kali, the weapon-based Filipino national martial art, while invoking imagery of the Hindu goddess Kali.
Beside it is a pair of women, where one has the other locked in an arm-bar, a move from BJJ, Ho Sin Tung’s favourite martial art. “The world of grappling is full of imaginations. You are playing chess with another body, fully utilizing your every joint and muscle,” she said. “We can practice BJJ because we are capable of feeling pain and loss. By confronting others, you reveal certain parts of yourself — mostly your weakness and inner demons — and you have a chance to rewrite your own identity by continuing your practice.” Next to it, you’ll find two men engaged in a Muay Thai fight and at the end, a larger man performs an acrobatic move from Capoeira.
View this post on Instagram
Each set of figures were painted in different colours, body shapes, and costumes, with some of them inspired by the people in her gym community. Through Shadow Boxing, Ho Sin Tung wanted to show that martial arts is not limited to just one gender, race, size, age, or culture. “I wish to reveal the brilliant world of martial arts through art,” she said.
Artwork: Shadow Boxing by Ho Sin Tung
Video and featured image: Ryan Putranto
Hero image: Eric Hong, courtesy of Art Central
Interviewer: Johanna Muliani
Tags
Written by
Johanna Muliani
Editorial Assistant, Dining and Culture
An Indonesian enamoured with the sights of Hong Kong, Jo is a curious spirit who loves telling stories with a focus on Art, People, and F&B. After work, you'll find Jo knitting, dabbling in gaming, and looking for where to eat next.
Most Popular
