"a work of art or ..." (February 2006)
"… just a graffito by an insane?"
'This calligraphy graffito at the Tsim Sha Tsui’s Star Ferry Pier is probably one of the last remaining works of Tsang Tsou Choi 曾灶財. Since the mid 50’s, Tsang had been writing everywhere on the streets, lampposts, utilities box, pillars and walls, claiming himself to be the “Kowloon Emperor”. Nothing seemed to be able to stop him (including arrests by the police) except a deterioration in health in recent years which has taken away his mobility. Most of his “art works” have also been painted over. His works are thus getting rare, so rare that Sotheby became interested to auction one of his works in 2004. I thought I’d take a few photos while it’s still free.' Feb 2006
PS. Tsang died on 15 July 2007 following a heart attack; he was 85.
Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
"a work of art or ..." (February 2006)
"… just a graffito by an insane?"
'This calligraphy graffito at the Tsim Sha Tsui’s Star Ferry Pier is probably one of the last remaining works of Tsang Tsou Choi 曾灶財. Since the mid 50’s, Tsang had been writing everywhere on the streets, lampposts, utilities box, pillars and walls, claiming himself to be the “Kowloon Emperor”. Nothing seemed to be able to stop him (including arrests by the police) except a deterioration in health in recent years which has taken away his mobility. Most of his “art works” have also been painted over. His works are thus getting rare, so rare that Sotheby became interested to auction one of his works in 2004. I thought I’d take a few photos while it’s still free.' Feb 2006
PS. Tsang died on 15 July 2007 following a heart attack; he was 85.
Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong