Hello! My name is Wong Kwok Tung Kenny. I am currently a fourth-year student studying Creative Arts and Culture (Visual Arts) at the Education University of Hong Kong. Before attending EdUHK, I studied (BA) in Landscape Architecture at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (VTC), where I completed my first two years of study.

As a child, I was passionate about art and painting, exploring various media and techniques to create my works. I also have graphic design, interior design, environmental design, and expressive arts skills. I believe that art is an essential part of life. Before taking the DSE, I really wanted to study Visual Arts as my major at university. I believe that daily, we engage with visual arts and communicate through them meaningfully.

Through various activities and experiences, I have gained a wealth of knowledge that has shaped my perspective on art and education. Engaging with different artistic mediums, participating in workshops, and collaborating with fellow artists have all contributed to my understanding of the creative process. These experiences ignited a passion to share this knowledge with others. 

In my future career, I aspire to become an art educator or work in the field of art administration. As an art educator, I hope to inspire students to explore their creativity and develop their artistic skills while fostering an appreciation for the arts. Alternatively, through a role in art administration, I would like to support artists and cultural organizations, helping to create opportunities for broader community engagement with the arts. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to the growth and appreciation of art in society, ensuring that its transformative power is accessible to all.

Email enquiry: s1148682@s.eduhk.hk

Oh, Kenny! You couldn't imagine you were the drama show's main actor! 

In one of Shakespeare's plays, the point is that "Life imitates art; Art imitates life." During year 3, I took the compulsory course "(CAC 1005) Theater and Stage Art", where I was introduced to theatrical performance for the first time. This experience remains vivid in my memory as a new and enriching journey.  

This compulsory course taught us much about basic stage drama art, such as lighting, scenes, sound, etc. In addition, in class, the teacher constantly takes us to explore the history of drama and study various forms of drama to have a deeper understanding of the powerful charm of stage art. However, I never expected that the final assessment would involve performing a drama for the teacher and classmates. 

"I want to be a director, I want to be a costume designer, I want to be a makeup artist..." They all expressed the positions they wanted, but these were all behind-the-scenes jobs, and no one wanted to be an actor. My classmates kept recommending that I do it. Only a few boys were in the group, so I had no choice but to agree to their request.

...

The play's hero is a dashing and foul-mouthed playboy whose character traits are completely opposite to my real-life personality. I felt very nervous during the rehearsal, especially since I had no acting experience. When I read my lines, the director criticized me for not projecting enough strength and for lacking momentum; my movements didn’t fit the image of the male protagonist. 

As I struggled with my lines, I felt increasingly guilty and began to doubt my suitability for acting. I want to cry at that moment. The thought of giving up kept recurring in my mind.

Some of my teammates noticed that I seemed listless and offered me much support and encouragement. After the rehearsal, I tried communicating with other actors and directors, hoping to spend more time with them to review lines and get feedback on my acting skills. 

At that moment, I realized that success often comes from persevering after failure, practising more, and making improvements with each rehearsal. Kenny! Keep pushing forward!

The most impressive moment of the entire course was standing on the stage at the opening. My classmates and I kept cheering each other up and striving for success without failure. When the curtain opened and the stage lights shone on me, I suddenly felt a massive energy and excitement. I must perform this performance well on stage. 

Standing on this stage, I felt a sense of liberation and empowerment, as if I had transcended the boundaries of my identity and was fully immersed in the character, living in a world of infinite possibilities. After the performance, my classmates and teachers all applauded. I tried my best to perform so that they could better understand the whole drama.

Having been educated in Hong Kong, I have always believed that its education system is among the best in the world and has a strong international reputation. Every year, students from all over the globe come to Hong Kong for learning and exchange programs. 

Furthermore, teachers from various countries and regions bring diverse cultural backgrounds, contributing to what can be seen as a form of ‘global education’ in Hong Kong. This raises a question: why do we need to travel to other places to study? With this curiosity in mind, I boarded a flight to Beijing to explore how its culture, education, and living habits differ from those in Hong Kong.

The study tour to Tsinghua University in Beijing changed my perception of Mainland universities and allowed me to experience diverse cultures and educational backgrounds. I had always believed that Mainland universities focused solely on pressuring students to study. However, while they emphasize a solid academic foundation, students also engage in numerous international competitions. I was surprised that some students have even pursued artistic projects in Korea. This experience showed me that various universities are offering students global education opportunities and broadening their horizons.

Through exchanges between students from both sides of the border, we overcame language barriers and formed friendships with individuals from different backgrounds.

One of the most profound aspects of my academic interactions has been the opportunity to engage with peers and professors worldwide. In the class and after-school discussions, I witnessed firsthand the power of diverse perspectives in fostering creativity and innovation.

During my week in Beijing, I encountered significant academic and personal challenges. The teaching and living styles at universities in Beijing differ greatly from those in Hong Kong, creating a very intense classroom atmosphere. These different teaching methods pushed me out of my comfort zone and required me to adapt and learn in new ways. I consistently sought guidance from local students and professors to help me adjust quickly. Facing these challenges improved my problem-solving skills and deepened my understanding of cross-cultural communication and collaboration, ultimately broadening my horizons.

Oops...art administration?

The Hong Kong Arts Festival Outreach Department provides various art activities for primary, secondary, and tertiary students. As interns, we assisted with administrative tasks before the performances. While these duties may seem basic and somewhat tedious, they offered valuable learning experiences.

I improved my organizational skills by compiling information about primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong. This involved gathering contact details and using Excel to organize the data accurately and accessibly.

Additionally, I developed my communication and teamwork skills. Collaborating with team members required constant communication to discuss data processing, social media platform post design and task management, allowing me to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. This experience significantly enhanced my skills in these areas.

You couldn't imagine that I could play during my working period!!

The LARP (Live Action Role-Playing) game is an excellent test of players’ creative thinking and problem-solving skills. With six characters, each possessing unique traits, the game challenges players' logical thinking. Initially, I struggled to understand the script and was confused by my teammates' input. However, I learned to analyze the plot, character details, and storyline progression. I discovered that players often provided inaccurate information, leading to contradictions in the narrative. This experience has enhanced my analytical skills and logical thinking, preparing me to tackle workplace challenges more effectively.

Additionally, role-playing and storytelling skills play a vital role in the game. Players must engage with their characters and contribute to the storyline. This activity has improved my emotional expression and strengthened my interactions with others, which is essential in daily life and future careers.

Furthermore, the game provides insights into performance and drama culture. Participants can interview theatre staff and directors to understand the connections between the script and the performing arts. Learning from professionals has deepened my appreciation for creativity and performance, guiding me in exploring potential career paths in the arts.

Reflecting on past experiences, I was struck by the profound impact that theatre and performance had on my personal growth and development, according to Kolb’s Learning Cycle (1984).