b. 1972, Hong Kong, China; lives and works Hong Kong, China

Luke Ching Chin Wai is a conceptual artist and labour activist from Hong Kong. His practice considers the cultural and political collisions in Hong Kong and his works are often made as a spontaneous response to his surroundings. Ranging from photography, sculpture, video and social intervention, his work often deploys a sense of humour that belies the seriousness of his investigations. His artistic practices are based on his belief in agency and responsibility of the artist for social purposes. This can be seen clearly in works such as undercover worker, an ongoing project started in 2007, in which the artist worked in different low-paid jobs in Hong Kong to experience their working environments and make first-hand observations of working conditions. From these initial field works, he is able to visualize the problems hidden within Hong Kong and successfully lead campaigns to improve the working conditions of low-paid workers. To date, he has successfully improved working conditions by providing chairs for security guards and cashiers, providing a new design for public rubbish bins to make cleaner’s job easier, and urging the city’s Labour Department to improve health & safety standards related to prolonged standing.

Luke Ching Chin Wai's recent exhibitions include Luke Ching: Glitch in the Matrix, Para Site, Hong Kong (2020); Liquefied Sunshine, Blindspot Gallery, Hong Kong (2019); Bicycle Thieves, Para Site, Hong Kong (2019); Gwangju Biennale, Korea (2018); Dismantling the Scaffold, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong (2018); For Now We See Through a Window, Dimly, Gallery Exit, Hong Kong (2016); Language, Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, Dresden, Germany (2016); I Submit to The Wisdom of The Body, Silverlens Gallery, Manila, Philippines (2015); Luke CHING: Screensaver, Gallery EXIT, Hong Kong (2014); Folk Art Series, Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, Blackburn, UK (2008); 2 in 1, Hong Kong Visual Art Centre, Hong Kong (2007); and Language Center, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan (2006).

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