Forty years of determined effort in consumer protection Comic exhibition paints evolution in consumer situations

The Consumer Council has all along strived to promote consumer rights in the past four decades. The Council took an active interest in social, economic and legislative changes and their impact on marketplace and consumers experience.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary, the Council staged a roving comic exhibition entitled 「4 x 10」to depict consumer experience unique to different eras through comic drawings of renowned local artists. The exhibition was officiated by Professor K C Chan, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury today (January 30, 2015) at Food Square Zone A (Phase 1 podium), Lok Fu Plaza.

Officiating at the opening ceremony, Council Chairman Professor Wong Yuk-shan, BBS, JP offered his views on changes in consumption circumstances. Professor Wong said, "Consumers have entered a new era. Many consumers from Hong Kong and elsewhere are increasingly aware of responsibilities and ethics brought about by consumption. The Council will advocate in coming years "sustainable consumption culture" and study behaviors relevant so that the society at large could better understand and concern over the matter.

Ten artists, each contributed four to a total of 40 masterpieces, from different eras were invited, namely, Mr Alphonso Wong (Old Master Q), Ms Lee Wai-chun, Mr Doe Sum, Mr Craig Au Yeung, Mr Wong Chiu-tat, Ms Tina Ko, Big Soil, Mr Yeung Hok-tak, Siu Hak and Din-Dong. Changes in consumers' experience and their daily life were reflected, reviewed and prefigured through these 40 classic or newly created comic pictures. Different circumstances experienced by consumers in the '60s and '70s, humanistic scenes in old districts, popular consumer culture in recent years and expectations for the future are divulged through vigor of style.

Meanwhile, the Council has invited ten commentators from local cultural sector who care about consumer issues to support as "pen pals". Each one has contributed a written response to one of the artists' works. The 10 "pen pals" are Ms Amy Chan, Mr Cheung Tat-ming, Mr Kengo Ip, Mr Joey Leung, Professor Lui Tai-lok, Professor Ng Chun-hung, Professor Wong Chi-chung, Mr Wong Chi-lung, Mr Derek Wong and Professor Yau Ching. Textural responses of the "pen pals" effectuate resonance for the comic pictures and help viewers appreciate and analyse the exhibits more deeply.

Roving exhibition of the 40 comic pictures and texts will be staged at three major shopping malls from January to March, 2015. After the first stop at Lok Fu Shopping Centre Food Square Area A (Phase 1 podium), the exhibition will be next staged at L1 Atrium, Metro City Plaza, Tseung Kwan O, and then moved to Metroplaza, Kwai Fong, in March.

In addition, guided tours will be scheduled for schools, elderly centres, community organisations and other social services organisations through exhibition period.

Schedule of the「4 x10」comic roving exhibition:

"Enlighten - Collaborate - Innovate" is theme for the Council's 40th anniversary. Further to the first cross-strait symposium on consumer protection and cocktail reception held in April last year, a TV series "Metropolitan Consumers" was produced in collaboration with RTHK. At the Hong Kong Mobile Film Festival to be held in February this year, the Council has sponsored one of the major awards to encourage micro film production around the theme of consumer situations. The comic exhibition, which is also a commemorating event aims to promote public awareness on consumption circumstances, as well as to inspire thinking and reflection on consumption behaviours and protection related issues.

Highlights of the ceremony

The overview of the Comic Exhibition is available for download (Chinese only). Please visit Council's 40th Anniversary Website to review the highlights of the exhibition.