Ode to the Arts - Several Burmese artists, including former political prisoner Htein Lin exhibit works celebrating the diversity and beauty of their country. Opening Jul 10, 6:30pm. Through Jul 30. Karin Weber Gallery, G/F, 20 Aberdeen St., Central, 2544-5004, www.karinwebergallery.com.

HK PICKS
Hong Kong Style
Artist Fung Hing-keung’s background as a comic artist in the 80s is apparent in his latest series of images, derived from the kung fu craze of the 70s and featuring the distinctive machete shaped eyebrows that characterized that era. Opening Jul 3. Through Jul 17. The Fringe, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, www.hkfringe.com.hk.

Superflat Summer
Flat planes of color and anime and manga-style cartoon characters inhabit the works of Takashi Murakami (famous for his LV collaboration). Joined by pieces from Chiho Aoshima, Aya Takano and Chinatsu Ban. Opening Jul 8, 6:30pm. Through Jul 22. W Hotel,1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2525-4911, www.fabrik-gallery.com.

When I Draw, I Think Of...
Works on paper by local artists born in the 1980s, dedicated to the practice of drawing. Friday, July 10, 6:30. Through Aug 22. Gallery EXIT, G/F, 1 Shin Hing St., Central, 2541-1299, www.galleryexit.com.

Women of Vietnam
From realistic portraits to bold abstracts, leading Vietnamese artists show us their interpretations of the women of their home country. Opening Jul 3. Through Jul 31. Arch Angel Art, 58 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2851-6882.

Ongoing

Prototype
Hong Kong-based LED artist Teddy Lo fuses technology and aesthetics with his tech-art. Through Sep 20. I/O (Input/Output), U/G, Tung Yiu Commercial Building, 31A Wyndham St., Central, 3105-1127.

Laminated Life—Plastic Products and Old Hong Kong Lifestyle
A showcase of retro PVC products that stand testament to Hong Kong’s history as a manufacturing center. Through Jul 31. Wan Chai Livelihood Place, G/F, 72A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, www.wclive.net.

Only Children Play With Toys
Photographer Nathan King and illustrator Dawn Austin explore the powerful psychological connection between toys and our most basic desires. Through Jul 11. Culture Club Gallery, 15 Elgin St., Central, 2127-7936, www.cultureclub.com.hk.

Outside In: Alternative Narratives in Contemporary Art
An exhibition of narrative-driven works by artists from Burma, Hong Kong and Lahore. Through Jul 19. University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, 94 Bonham Rd., Pok Fu Lam, 2241-5513, www.hku.hk/hkumag.

Unknown
Communicating through video and photographic works, artist Lam Wai-Kit’s exhibition invites the viewer to think about their existence and probe the essence of their identity. Through Jul 26. Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd., Sai Wan Ho, 2739-2139.

HK PICKS
Not-Fine-Arts: New Works by Chow Chun Fai
Through painting and photography Chow references many popular films and classic works, highlighting the importance of history to visual arts. Through Jul 25. Hanart TZ Gallery, Room 202, Henley Building, 5 Queen’s Road, Central, 2526-9019, www.hanart.com.

Modern Metropolis: The Material Culture of Shanghai and Hong Kong
A collaborative effort between the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Shanghai History Museum, this exhibition showcases 240 items from old Shanghai and Hong Kong, from a pre-1949 rickshaw to artifacts from the cities’ oldest department stores. Through Aug 17. Museum of History, 100 Chatham Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724-9042.

Reading through Seeing
Calligraphy artist José Parlá tells a story in his scribble-like fusion of words and images. Through Jul 11. Ooi Botos Gallery, 5 Gresson St., Wan Chai, www.ooibotos.com.

Remains of a Traveling Battered Wing
Featuring mixed media works by Hong Kong-based Filipino artist Arnel S. Agawin’s journey into the inner recesses of our city’s psyche. Through Jul 12. Osage SoHo, 45 Caine Rd., Central, 2537-0688, www.osagegallery.com.

Summer Delights
“Colorful, light and energetic” artworks by a group of locally based artists. Through Aug 31. Blue Lotus Gallery, Block A, 5/F, Unit 24, Wah Luen Industrial Building, 15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung St., Fo Tan, www.bluelotus-gallery.com.

The Golden Age of Couture
A showcase of post-war (1947-1957) French and British fashion and photography from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Part of Le French May. Through Sep 28. Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Rd., Sha Tin, hk.heritage.museum.

Time Ligaments
Nine contemporary Vietnamese artists revisit memories of their country through paintings, videos, photography and installations. Through Aug 16. 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, 6/F, Chai Wan Industrial City Phase 1, 60 Wong Tai Rd., Chai Wan, www.10chancerylanegallery.com.

Closing

CCTV
This “mysterious installation armed with surveillance cameras” features plenty of street art from five prominent US and Italian street artists, jammed into a 900 square foot abandoned office space. Through Jul 3. 2702 Wyndham Place, 44 Wyndham St., Central, www.apostrophe.hk.

Chrysalid
A showcase of works by four contemporary artists from India, London, Australia and New Zealand. Through Jul 4. Amelia Johnson Contemporary, 6-10 Shin Hing St., Central, www.ajc-art.com.

Colour of Silence
Featuring the latest works by two female artists from Burma and Hong Kong. Through Jul 8. Karin Weber Gallery, G/F, 20 Aberdeen St., Central, www.karinwebergallery.com.


Up Close Quan Yeomans

Quan Yeomans, sometime lead singer of Oz-rock band Regurgitator, left his native Australia and came to Hong Kong to try his hand at hip-hop. He talks to Tim Pritchard about loving the 80s and wearing giant sneakers on his head.

HK Magazine: Why did you decide to make the switch from rock to hip-hop and R&B?
Quan Yeomans: It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, and it’s something I needed to do independently of the band. I’ve always been into the 80s sound, with plenty of synths and beats. The style works just as well for hip-hop as it does for rock. “Units,” one of Regurgitator’s biggest hits, was very 80s-inspired, and that was released back in 1996.

HK: How does living in Hong Kong affect Regurgitator’s dynamic?
QY: You could say that the band is having a mid-life crisis. We live in different places and have our own side projects, but we still get together to make music so it’s not really a huge issue. Living in Hong Kong, it’s easy to hop on a flight to Australia or wherever I need to be, and I love this city because it’s got so much to offer.

HK: Have you experienced much of the local music scene since you’ve been here? Do you have any favorite artists?
QY: DP and The Yours are two bands that I think are really fun and
interesting, and I like My Little Airport a lot. It’s a shame that the scene here is so underdeveloped, as there’s so much talent about. But I think that with a few better performance venues, momentum will gather and things will really kick off.

HK Magazine: What’s with the giant sneaker you’re wearing on your head on your album cover, “Quan the Amateur”?
QY: It was made by a guy called Puppet Master. It’s quite comfortable and you can sort of see out of it. I’m hoping to do a “sneaker-head” vinyl toy for charity, with the proceeds going to a children’s hospital in Vietnam.

HK: Any plans for the future?
QY: This month I’m working on a new music video for a remix of one of my songs. I’ve previously done videos for Regurgitator and Spiderbait, another Australian band, so I’d love to do one for a local group. I’d also like to make another solid solo record before doing another Regurgitator album.

Don’t miss Quan’s performance at HK Live! on Jul 4, 10pm, The Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central. 2521-7251, $100 advance, $150 at the door.


Why Not - Snap Shops

It’s the small shops hidden down Hong Kong’s dark and lively alleyways that are the focus of Simon Go’s new exhibition, “Old Shops.” Having previously published a book of photographs with the same title, many of those charming and often humorous images will feature in this show. Go masterfully captures a community often overlooked in Hong Kong society and explores the spirit of the staff and the history of the shops themselves. The photographer will also lead a tour around some of the most interesting shops accompanied by a guest architect. Admission free. July 6 to August 2. Hong Kong Architecture Centre, G/F, 8 Peel St., Central. Talk and guided tour on July 18 and Aug 1 from 3pm-5pm. Tickets $50-$60. Visit www.archicentre.hk or call  2805 -7146.