Knitting Conversations in Hong Kong

M+, Asia’s pioneering museum of contemporary visual culture, is showcasing ‘Knitting Conversations’, a captivating knitted paper installation by Hong Kong artist Movana Chen, starting from 17 February 2024 in the Focus Gallery.

‘Knitting Conversations’ reflects on female labour, personal and collective memories, material transformation, and the passage of time. Initially exhibited in 2013, the installation invited audiences to share cherished books with Chen, who then transformed their pages into ‘yarn’ to knit into her artwork. This process weaves together the knowledge and experiences of authors with the psychologies of readers, creating a space for shared emotions, ideas, and intimate connections that transcend boundaries.

The installation has grown since 2013, incorporating contributions from over 300 individuals across various cities including Amsterdam, Bangkok, Berlin, and Tokyo, culminating in a sixteen-metre work completed in Los Angeles in 2017. This marks the first time the completed piece is displayed in Hong Kong.

Movana Chen, originally trained in fashion, has centred her practice on the interplay between people, the environment, materials, and memories. Her signature knitted works, which began in 2003, have evolved into a broader, participatory, and performative practice. Chen will lead a public workshop in the summer at the Focus Gallery, with more details to be announced on the M+ website.

M+ stands as a monument to the modern and contemporary visual culture of the 20th and 21st centuries, striving to be a leading cultural institution globally. Located in the heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District, one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world, M+ is among the world’s largest museums dedicated to visual art, design, architecture, and Hong Kong’s visual culture. The district aims to create a vibrant cultural quarter on forty hectares of reclaimed land along Victoria Harbour, featuring a mix of theatres, performance spaces, museums, and public open spaces, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.

Visitors can access ‘Movana Chen: Knitting Conversations’ starting from 17 February 2024 with General Admission tickets, along with other exhibitions on Level 2. Tickets are available online through the M+ website. For M+ Instagram click HERE.