HONG KONG PORTRAITS - Iris ( 3 )

Iris CHEUNG - Painter, graphic designer, artist.



I met Iris Cheung when I was going through a slump in my career, in the time when I was forced to walk away from photography for period of time seeking alternative work at the local guest house. There, I met IRIS, she was my colleague.


There was a little black board on the wall beside reception counter at the guest house. Blackboard was used to inform the foreign guests, daily informations such as weather, where to go, and what's going on in the city, a concert or a show etc. And on that blackboard, was this rather weird looking little girl, hand drawn by someone. The image was so irresistibly charming so that I was attracted to this little drawing on the blackboard as the Little Girl transform her image from day to day, telling TODAY'S WEATHER. Skillful painting technic immediately caught my attention because I was trained in drawing and oil paintings in my early years as a young man. I thought, whoever made this, is a very gifted painter. Until one day I found out it is my colleague Iris Cheung, who is the author of the Little Girl. I then immediately spoke to her and told her how much I admire her wonderful creation on the blackboard, she accepted my compliment with a happy smile and shyness. Like all artist, she's an introvert.


As for the Little Girl on the blackboard, because I thought SHE needed a proper name, so I named her [ Alice ] because SHE reminded me of that ALICE in the [ Alice in the Wonderland ]. Iris is very pleased with my naming and henceforth, we all call the Little Girl, ALICE.



I only hope that ALICE will become a famous girl one day.





Liau Chung Ren （ 廖中仁 ）

2017, 5-27
Instagram@bluuren

* English translation from original Chinese script, some modifications are made. English translation by the author.