Tarot, astrology, feng shui – why is Hong Kong’s art world going dotty over divination?
- Mak Ying-tung 2 and Wu Jiaru are among a number of art professionals turning to New Age elements as the role of such concepts moves beyond superstitious hobbies
- The pandemic, Hong Kong’s political upheaval and a greater emphasis on self-care and self-understanding are among the reasons given for the change in focus
“What’s your star sign?”
Fortunately I was able to give her what was essentially a summary of my birth chart because I had been bitten by the astrology bug that claimed many victims during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mak is just one of many Hong Kong artists who in recent years have been incorporating elements of mystical divination into their practices. They attribute this to a focus on self-care during a period of great uncertainty and to the slower pace of life when the city underwent partial lockdown.
Mak’s own astrological inclination stems from a break-up, and was fortified after a feng shui master advised her in 2018 that adding a “2” to her name would bring fame and fortune.
And so it comes as little surprise that she has added a feng shui twist to her ongoing “Home Sweet Home” series, recently unveiled at de Sarthe gallery in Wong Chuk Hang.
