Chak Wai Leung – HK photographer of the “common people”
HF: Chak Wai Leung was born in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, in 1942. In 1959 he became a civil servant in the Hong Kong Government where he worked for over thirty three years.
Back in the 1960s, before the local economy took flight, Hong Kong was indundated with refugees who had been arriving in increasing numbers since the 1950s. As the working population grew, there was acute labour oversupply and life was difficult. It was a labour-intensive society and most common people relied on their own efforts and worked hard to make ends meet.
Since the 1960s Chak has taken a great number of photos that reflect the hardships of life in Hong Kong. Recording how Hong Kong’s grassroots led ther lives and showcasing the Hong Kong enterprising spirit, the works should be delicately savoured.” (1)
Chak Wai Leung, Goldfish Monger, Kowloon, 1966 Courtesy thedesk
Chak Wai Leung, Keysmith, Sham Shui Po, 1969 Courtesy of the HK Heritage Museum
This article was first posted on 1st September 2015.
Source:
- The Hong Kong Heritage Museum
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