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The Hong Kong Experience: My Nottingham
 

From June to October 2024, I had the opportunity to take part in a research project as the project artist. I led three workshops at Nottingham Central Library for children aged 5–13, including new immigrant children from Hong Kong and locally born children. In these workshops, we explored themes of immigration experiences and self-identity through collage. As the project artist, I used collage as a tool for sharing stories.
 

During the sessions, we asked the young artists about their lives in the UK, and their responses became part of the local oral history collection at Nottingham Central Library. Some of the questions we asked included:
 

  • How would you describe Hong Kong to me? How would you describe Nottingham to your friends in Hong Kong?

  • What do you like/dislike about living in Nottingham?

  • How is it different from or similar to your life in Hong Kong?

  • Is there anything you would like to bring from Hong Kong to Nottingham?

  • What things would you like to see in Nottingham that would make you happier?

  • Where do you usually play in Nottingham? Where did you play in Hong Kong?

  • Who do you usually play with in Nottingham? Who did you play with in Hong Kong?

  • How do you like your school in Nottingham? What do you like/dislike about it? How about your school in Hong Kong?

  • What's the difference between going to school in Nottingham and in Hong Kong?

  • What are your favourite places in the UK?

  • What do you miss the most about Hong Kong?
     

The exhibition showcases 40 wonderful artworks by young artists, including new immigrant children from Hong Kong and locally born children, aged 5–13.
 

In addition to the exhibition, a documentary film and an oral history collection have also been produced. Alongside the stories shared in the workshops, these will become part of the local studies collection at Nottingham Central Library.

The exhibition opened on September 17th, and we celebrated with a special event last Friday for families and their friends — Robin Hood even made an appearance!
 

This project is a collaboration with Nottingham Central Library, Visit Nottinghamshire, and Nottingham City Council. It is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Impact Acceleration Account at the University of Nottingham.

am.

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