Hong Kong icon visits NYC area to encourage visitors

Prudence Mak said she hopes to inspire a connection between the Greater New York area and Hong Kong.

The celebrated designer, who created the iconic cartoon doll character Fatina Dreams for her creative crafts brand Chocolate Rain, told China Daily on Saturday that "as a girl from Hong Kong", she grew up in "a melting pot of cultures, where East meets West — it's an integral part of who we are".

Fatina took center stage over the weekend at the Hong Kong Meets America – Pop Art Exhibition by Chocolate Rain at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan.

This immersive event from Friday through Sunday — presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY) — offered visitors a unique opportunity to experience Hong Kong through interactive do-it-yourself workshops and artistic displays.

Founded in 2000 by Mak, Chocolate Rain is popular for its designs inspired by childhood dreams and whimsical adventures.

The brand also has previously been featured at New York City venues such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, gaining international acclaim for its distinctive artistic style.

This time, Mak's art brought Hong Kong's vibrant street food culture and iconic landmarks to life alongside similar scenes from New York. She noted the similarities between the two cities — both vibrant and fast paced with towering skyscrapers.

Mak features iconic landmarks in her 3D artworks, such as the Statue of Liberty and yellow cabs of New York alongside Hong Kong's Big Buddha and the Star Ferry crossing Victoria Harbor.

She that while she brought Fatina this time, she also has a deep appreciation for traditional Chinese art.

"I personally practice art with the bamboo brush. I remember my grandpa … would come home and practice calligraphy with me. That's how I was introduced to ink and brush for the first time. Art is for every lifestyle," she said.

Mak said she hope to create a platform, especially for children, where people can engage with art through their own creativity. She said that both Hong Kong and New York are rich in art and creativity.

"All of the 18 different districts throughout Victoria Harbor have all public artwork installations. We are just one of them. There are over 20, 30 going on the public up the front, so it's a beautiful, nice scene there, Mak said.

"And then also you can enjoy art. Hong Kong is a tiny gem. We call it a little pearl, right?" she said. "Sometimes, maybe you pass by, you miss it, because the great China has so many things, but don't forget Hong Kong!"

Maisie Ho, the director of the HKETONY, told China Daily: "We are excited to share a facet of Hong Kong's culture with the American audience through our partnership with Chocolate Rain. This exhibition beautifully melds tradition with contemporary aesthetics, celebrating the vibrant creativity of our homegrown talent in the United States.

"We wanted to bring Chocolate Rain here just to remind us of the joy they have in their hearts," she said. "Culture can do that — link the hearts between the two peoples. [People] also have a lot of passion for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong food and the Hong Kong icons."

Ho invited people to visit Hong Kong to try authentic foods such as pineapple buns, egg tarts and dim sum, and to explore the city, which offers experiences that may seem familiar to Americans yet are uniquely Hong Kong in style, reflecting its distinct place in Chinese culture.

"There are lots of similarities between Hong Kong and the US. I encourage everybody to either discover or rediscover Hong Kong," she said. Ho said that visitors will be amazed by the latest development of the city, and China has been welcoming to international visitors.

She said that because Hong Kong is an international hub with direct weekly flights from New York, it is easily accessible and also serves as a gateway to the Chinese mainland.