Hong Kong turns heads with Asian LGBTQ art show

HONG KONG/TOKYO -- Four years ago, thousands of people dressed in multicolored outfits gathered in the center of Hong Kong for the city's annual Pride parade, waving rainbow flags and calling for LGBTQ rights. Since then, awareness of the often-marginalized community has faded against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and a draconian national security law that has stifled creative freedom and political discussion.

Now, an innovative art space is reviving the debate with its latest exhibition. As Asia slowly emerges from the pandemic, Tai Kwun Contemporary has become an unlikely new outlet for LGBTQ creatives in Hong Kong. "Myth Makers -- Spectrosynthesis III" is the city's first major exhibition to capture LGBTQ perspectives from around Asia and encourage queer dialogue in a society that, despite its relatively liberal reputation, has struggled to accept and celebrate its LGBTQ community.