Fireside Chat with Felix Kwok, Jestina Tang and Gabe Chan from Sotheby’s Asia

From Picasso to Wong Kar Wai: Career of Auction House Specialists

November 26, 2021 (Fri) | 6:30pm – 7:45pm
Foundation Chamber, Hung Hing Ying Building, HKU  [Map]

Conducted in English

• Felix Kwok (BA 2008) – Director and Head of Modern Art, Sotheby’s Asia
• Jestina Tang (BA 2016) – Junior Specialist, Modern Art, Sotheby’s Asia
• Gabe Chan (BA 2016) – Cataloguer, Modern Art, Sotheby’s Asia

Sotheby’s Hong Kong 2021 Autumn Sales achieved HK$3.08 billion in sales, surpassing the full year total for 2020. The lots included Picasso’s “Femme Accroupie”, which sold for an Asian record HK$191.7 million, and acclaimed film director Wong Kar Wai’s first ever NFT creation, “In The Mood For Love – Day One”, which soared to HK$4.3 million and established a new benchmark for any Asian film NFT.

If you are interested in Art, fascinated by Picasso or Wong Kar Wai, or aspire to have a career in the Art world, REGISTER NOW.

Fireside Chat@HKU 現埸體驗
廣告大師勞雙恩遇上校長陳岡，一場視與聽的心靈滌盪。
 

勞雙恩 x 陳岡
人．情．味
非 Master Class

「大師班好得很，不過，它非必需品．」更何況這不是什麼 Master Class，這只是世界的廣告碰到你我的故事，一起去尋找生命中的 passion．任琴聲遇上案例，不要箍得這麼緊，做小鴨或當天鵝，「我目標，只想似我」．

LIVE at HKU Jockey Club Student Village III  [Map]

9 Nov 2021 (Tue) | 6:30pm – 7:45pm

Cantonese mainly, supplemented with English

Shuttle bus service

1. From 6pm: Main Building, near MTR HKU Station Exit A1 [Map] to Jockey Club Student Village III
2. From 7:40pm: Jockey Club Student Village III to Main Building

Registration: www.daao.hku.hk/firesidechat_mayan_johntan/

勞雙恩 Lo Sheung-yan (Riccian 1982 | BA 1985 | Honorary University Fellow 2021)，人稱「孖恩」，現任偉門智威亞太區首席創意長兼創意委員會主席。

港大畢業後曾任中學教師，1986-88 年擔任利瑪竇宿舍導師。1988 年孖恩投身廣告業，1996 年加盟智威湯遜上海 (JWT)，進入中國內地廣告市場；並為中國廣告業多次創立先河，繼 2011 年協助中國取得首座康城廣告節 (現稱康城獅子國際創意節) 全場大獎，於 ADFEST 2016 獲頒發 “Lotus Legend” 殊榮，2012 年孖恩更成為首位擔任康城廣告節戶外廣告類評委主席的華人。孖恩也活躍於香港話劇界，亦曾為香港流行樂壇創作過很多作品，包括，鄭秀文的《捨不得你》。

陳岡 John Tan (Riccian 1983 | BDS 1988; MEd 1993; PhD 2000)，現任番禺會所華仁小學校長。港大畢業後曾任牙醫和教師，並在 1990-91 擔任利瑪竇宿舍導師。2006 年加入教育局出任教育局總課程發展主任 (通識教育／跨課程學習)。曾任九龍華仁書院校長。

校友本色 第四集：MBA 農夫 麥嘉晉
Alumni Originals Episode 4: MBA Farmer Raymond Mak

Oct 20 (Wed) | 6pm

Guest : Raymond Mak 麥嘉晉 (BA 2005; MBA 2017)
Host : Anita Lee 李昕君 (BSocSc 2017; MSocSc 2021)

Synopsis:

香港大學讓 Raymond 發揮所長，他亦不知不覺從一個大學生成長為一位為社區帶來改變的創業家。熱衷學生活動的他是利瑪竇堂堂友，曾是體育聯會幹事，更是學生會主席。上莊教會了他責任感，儘管在過程中犯過不少錯，他仍不斷嘗試，重新重來。

畢業後，文學士出身的 Raymond 選擇到西藏旅遊，回港後，幸有國際諮詢公司工作給予他機會從管理顧問做起。這份工作讓他接觸到不同行業，增進了商業知識。港大一百週年回校分享，與久違的師兄姐弟妹和教授對話，激發了他對未來的想法。他希望為社會和社區作出貢獻，湊巧在工商管理碩士課程中遇上有相近理念的合夥人，因而發展到從事農業。

萬事起頭難，Raymond 從未接觸過農業，唯有不斷學習，吸收足夠的知識，才可以製作出受顧客信賴的產品。他直言，其實生意近半年才快速發展，開始的兩三年亦透過不斷嘗試才有收成。他鼓勵港大同學該與來自不同環境、不同學科、不同文化的人接觸，多作嘗試，開拓無限可能。

Raymond shared how his journey from Arts to Agriculture was the accumulative of numerous – and sometimes unexpected – steps.

He explained that he was able to use everything he learnt during his undergraduate years at HKU to help him become an entrepreneur, recalling that as a committee member of the Sports Association and President of the Students’ Union, the mistakes he made pushed him to keep trying and experimenting.

After graduation, Raymond’s first job was a management consultant, which exposed him to different industries and enhanced his business knowledge.

Finding inspiration in surprising places and talking to people he would not usually connect with are what led Raymond to his next step. During his MBA programme, he had an idea about how to give back to society and connected with like-minded classmates. This led to Raymond changing his career to agriculture.

This new journey into agriculture began with baby steps and, as Raymond stressed, lots of learning and studying. The first two or three years were tough, but he was finally confident he could produce products that customers liked. Raymond pointed out his business has only developed rapidly in the past six months. A success, but not an overnight one.

He gave his best advice to fellow alumni and students of exploring all options with people from different backgrounds, disciplines and cultures. Only then can you know what possibilities are out there.

校友本色 第三集：城市畫家 趙綺婷
Alumni Originals Episode 3: City Artist Elaine Chiu

Oct 13 (Wed) | 6pm

Guest : Elaine Chiu 趙綺婷 (BA 2018)
Host : Anna Lam 林穎 (BA 2021)

Synopsis:

有人說做藝術家難以維生，但 Elaine 自小就想成為畫家，長大後終於夢想成真。以前擔任藝術學會幹事的她在一次的籌款活動，把自己的畫印作明信片售賣，結果反應良好，更有大學書店的職員建議她把明信片放到書店寄賣。至此之後，她察覺到藝術在香港有價有市，做藝術家也是一件可行的事。

Elaine 一共參加了兩次海外交流，第一次在劍橋大學暑期交流，她終於能夠彌補修讀畫畫的課程的心願。在愛丁堡大學更是修讀了港大沒有的科目，例如與建築相關的課程。在英國的時候，她亦乘機報名參加了在牛津舉辦的國際畫展，展覽裡有不少人給予她寶貴意見，讓她獲益良多。

當一個畫家其實很不穩定，幸好，Elaine 畢業後收到不同的商業委託，例如悉尼光影節 2018 和在中環繪畫宣傳 Victoria’s Secret 的壁畫。她亦有兼職舉辦室外的繪畫班，勉強能維持基本收入。但疫情蔓延後，商業邀請變少，亦要轉為網上授課。幸有畫廊與她簽約，讓她能做一個全職畫家。對於未來寄望，她希望往後能嘗試不同的媒介，或在作品加入不同人物，再讀書進修，提升畫技。

Some people say it is difficult to make a living as an artist, but opportunity knocked on Elaine’s door, leading her to pursue a career as a full-time artist. Elaine was helping her Fine Arts Society to raise fund by selling postcards of her drawings, the response was surprisingly good and she even got invited by a university bookstore staff to sell her postcards in the store. Since then, she realized there is a market demand for art in Hong Kong, and it is possible to become an artist.

Elaine participated in two overseas exchange programs – a summer exchange at Cambridge University and a semester exchange at the University of Edinburgh. She took a painting course, and other courses that HKU did not offer, such as those related to architecture and art. While in the UK, she also took the opportunity to attend an international Art Fair in Oxford, where she got many valuable advices that benefited her a lot.

An artist’s income would be unstable sometimes, but she enjoyed the process. After graduation, she received job invitations for various commercial commissions, such as “2018 Vivid Sydney” and “Victoria’s Secret” mural in Central. She also ran outdoor painting classes on a part-time basis to support her income. However, with the spread of the epidemic, there are fewer job invitations and she has to change outdoor classes to online. Luckily, a gallery signed her up as a full-time artist. As for the future, she hopes to try different media to draw or add different characters into her works, and to study further to improve her painting skills.

校友本色 第二集：Dream Car 達人 黃卓徽
Alumni Originals Episode 2: Dream Car Master Albert Wong

Oct 6 (Wed) | 6pm

Guest : Albert Wong 黃卓徽 (BBA 2003)
Host : Perkins Cheung 張柏軒 (BEcon&Fin 2021)

Synopsis:

工商管理系畢業的 Albert Wong，除了開創了自己的資產管理公司，還經營家族生意，代理林寶堅尼及其他品牌超級跑車等。

他指每個家族總要有一個人懂得投資的學問，因此他選擇了工商管理，並主修金融。在港大的三年，他參加了多次辯論和唱歌比賽，更曾在港大 90 週年的 GALA 晚宴表演。雖然他喜歡唱歌，亦曾獲得唱片公司的試音邀請，但他坦言喜愛的事情未必一定要成為自己的職業，而他對自己有要求很高，做事要達到專業水平。

扛起家族生意的擔子時難免會遇上困難，人事關係是其中之一。Albert 憑著自己畢業後打工獲得的經驗，了解到溝通能讓員工理解他的領導方針。 他指因為市場不斷轉變，作為公司的領導人，絕不能故步自封，必須要洞悉先機，決定未來的計劃。最後Albert勉勵畢業生不要怕吃虧，上司定會看見你的努力。

Graduated from BBA, Albert Wong has started his own asset management company and also runs the family business, a dealership of Lamborghini and other supercars.

He believes that formal knowledge in investment is critical to help his family, hence he decided to major in finance. During his years at HKU, he participated in debate and singing competitions, and performed at the university’s 90th-anniversary GALA dinner. Although he enjoyed singing and was invited to audition by a record company, he did not want to mix hobby with profession. He set high standards for himself and would not work as amateur.

Managing relationship with staff is one of the challenges of taking on a family business. Albert learned from his working experience that effective communication helps employees understand his plans. As the market is constantly changing, Albert pointed out that a leader of a company should look into the future, and be forward-looking in strategy planning. Albert also encouraged the graduates not to shy away from taking on additional responsibilities, after all the boss will be able to see their efforts and contributions.

校友本色 第一集：米芝蓮大廚 蔡明輝
Alumni Originals Episode 1: Michelin Chef Jan Choi

Sept 29 (Wed) | 6pm

Guest : Jan Choi 蔡明輝 (Engineering Alumnus)
Host : Natali Anderson 安德寧 (BA 2021)

Synopsis:

讀工程一定要做工程師？

八年前一趟與大學室友的跨國單車旅行，燃點了 Jan 對烹飪的一團火，他察覺到食物是何等重要，從而想要成為廚師，開創自己的一片天。縱然履歷表一片空白，幸有精緻餐飲餐廳僱用，他從零開始，踏上廚師之路。

在專業的廚房裏，不會拿刀的 Jan 由學徒做起，洗菜、收拾、清潔，無一例外。漸漸，他開始接觸切菜、裝飾、和處理肉類及矜貴食材等工序。 有賴之前所累積的經驗和師傅悉心教導，Jan 逐步成長為一名獨當一面的廚師，可以打理廚房，發揮創意，設計菜單。為了接觸更多事物，他曾毅然辭職，到歐洲旅行，學習當地的飲食物文化，精進廚藝。

說到工作的難處，Jan 坦言當廚師很消耗體力，精神壓力也很大。 但從中學會不少影響他人生的道理，例如他變得更有紀律，體會到時間是多麼可貴。 他亦感謝大學給予他的訓練，讓他可以提升自己，學會與人相處，咬緊牙關「捱」下去，最後蛻變成米芝蓮餐廳的助理總廚。

From an Engineering student to a Michelin Chef

Eight years ago, on a cross-country cycling trip with his hallmate, Jan’s passion for cooking was ignited. He realized how important food was and wanted to start his own career as a chef. Despite a blank resume, he was able to secured jobs at fine dining restaurants, starting from scratch, setting off on the chef’s pathway.

In the kitchen, Jan, who didn’t even know how to hold a knife, started as an apprentice, handling trivial duties such as washing vegetables and cleaning. Gradually, he got into cutting vegetables, decorating, and handling meat and rare and expensive ingredients. Thanks to the guidance of the chefs and his hard-earn experiences, Jan has eventually progressed to manage the kitchen and design the menu. In order to pursue more culinary knowledge, he quitted his job and travelled to Europe to learn Western food culture and to improve his cooking skills.

Speaking about difficulties, Jan admits that being a chef is physically demanding and mentally stressful. However, he learned many life-changing lessons in the kitchen, such as the importance of time and self-discipline. He also thanked the university for the training he received, which enabled him to improve himself, learn to get along with people, and finally strive to become the Sous Chef of a Michelin-starred Restaurant.

Fireside Wednesday 2021

校友本色 ALUMNI ORIGINALS

四位年輕港大校友分享他們不一樣的路
Featuring the Unconventional Paths of 4 Young Alumni
[Sep 29] Jan Choi 蔡明輝 (Engineering alumnus) –  米芝蓮大廚 Michelin Chef
[Oct 6] Albert Wong 黃卓徽 (BBA 2003) – Dream Car 達人 Dream Car Master
[Oct 13] Elaine Chiu 趙綺婷 (BA 2018) –  城市畫家 City Artist
[Oct 20] Raymond Mak 麥嘉晉 (BA 2005; MBA 2017)  –  MBA 農夫 MBA Farmer

相關文章

• 許鞍華、張婉婷、楊紫燁對談：300萬，你想拍什麽？

一齊好好拍電影
Let’s Keep Rolling

March 23 (Tue), 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
(live chat in Cantonese, see below for English synopsis)

Guests:

• Ann Hui 許鞍華
  (BA 1969; MA 1973; Honorary University Fellow 2001; Hon DSocSc 2014)
  First Chinese female director awarded Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at Venice International Film Festival
• Mabel Cheung 張婉婷
  (BA 1973; Honorary University Fellow 2010)
  Director, awarded Crystal Bear for Best Film at Berlin International Film Festival
• Ruby Yang 楊紫燁
  HKU Hung Leung Hau Ling Distinguished Fellow in Humanities
  Director of Oscar-winning Best Documentary (Short Subject)

Host:

• Bernadette Tsui 徐詠璇
  HKU Associate Vice-President (Development & Alumni Affairs)

English Synopsis

“Keep Rolling”, a documentary tributes to Ann Hui, is in theatres. This Fireside Chat “Let’s Keep Rolling” features world-renowned Hong Kong directors: alumnae Ann Hui and Mabel Cheung, and Oscar-winning documentary director Ruby Yang.

How did HKU inspire the three directors? How to produce high-quality films with limited resources? Tips for aspiring young filmmakers?

Ann Hui was awarded the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice International Film Festival in 2020. She is the first Chinese female winner of the award. When asking how to help young film makers win international awards, she commented, “I think nurturing artistic and creative film directors is more important than teaching them skills. I am still searching my role in supporting the new generations and I need to think thoroughly about that. The young directors are talented, so they may not need and want your help. However, in terms of administration and fund-finding, perhaps I could help them.”

Mabel Cheung, Crystal Bear winner for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival, has a strong bond with HKU and finds inspirations at her alma mater. She filmed “City of Glass”, a romance movie set in Lady Ho Tung Hall and Ricci Hall. “HKU sparks my inspiration. I lived in Lady Ho Tung Hall, which was a very elegant building. The free-spirited environment manifests countless stories between Ho Tung girls and Ricci boys. These stories influence my creative work. Regarding having limited resources to produce high-quality films, I think technology now can help a lot, for instance lowering the cost of having a real physical setting of a scene.”

Director of Oscar-winning Best Documentary (Short Subject) Ruby Yang is an HKU Hung Leung Hau Ling Distinguished Fellow in Humanities, teaching at JMSC of HKU. Ruby said a documentary film does not require much budget as compared with a feature film, “If I had 3 million dollars, I think I would allocate it as grants for 20 documentary film projects.” Ruby also agreed that young people are full of potential, “Young people are like a blank piece of paper but full of ideas. I think I could help them develop ideas and assist them in editing movies. In fact, Hong Kong has a lot of things can be featured. In my documentary initiative, I helped some ten young people and I realized they need a lot of mentoring in the process.”

What it takes to be a Startup Founder?

Sept 9 (Wed) | 1:00pm – 1:45pm

 
Guest: Dr Miles Wen (BEng(CE) 2011; PhD 2015), Founder of Fano Labs
Host: Ruby Chan (BSocSc 2020)

 
Synopsis:

Dr Miles Wen 温豪夫 (BEng(CE 2011; PhD 2015), founder of Fano Labs, explored the secrets in launching a successful startup with HKU students and recent graduates.

Beginning with a sharing on his personal experience of founding Fano Labs, Miles underlined the importance of perseverance and dedication towards his own goals. The audience had the opportunity to discuss whether one should consider the startup route and how to execute the idea.

Before concluding, Miles emphasised on two fundamental concepts to remember:

1. Ideas are cheap, but the execution is king – even with a great idea, it will not succeed without a proper execution.
2. Be relentlessly resourceful – whether it is finance, network, or skills, never stop trying your best to get the necessary resources.

A huge thank you to Miles for the inspiring and encouraging conversation and everyone who attended the session.

Fireside Wed for New Grads

Dedicated to our young graduates and students.
Online closed group chat for intimate discussions on career paths, passion and opportunities.

REGISTRATION and REVISIT highlight of previous chats: https://www.newgrads.alumni.hku.hk/fireside-newgrads​

Failing Upwards, As Quickly As Possible

Sept 2 (Wed) | 1:00pm – 1:45pm

 
Guest: Christopher Hugentobler (BEcon&Fin 2014), Ex-Growth Lead at Snapask
Host: Sally Oh (BSocSc 2020)

 
Synopsis:

This week’s episode of Fireside Wednesday with Christopher Hugentobler (BEcon&Fin 2014) focused on fundamental soft-skills with a focus on how to fail upwards, a must-have skill in these difficult times.

Through sharing of various personal anecdotes, Chris shared how he overcame failures and went further to mould it as a stepping stone, as well as various tips he gained through his experiences.

To wrap up, Chris gave two tips to those navigating on an unplanned path.

1. “Expect failures” when starting something and “realise your original purpose”
2. “Choose the right manager and not the job” as connecting with the right people is crucial.

Thank you Chris for his enthusiastic sharing in this episode and a huge thanks to everyone who tuned-in!

Fireside Wed for New Grads

Dedicated to our young graduates and students.
Online closed group chat for intimate discussions on career paths, passion and opportunities.

REGISTRATION and REVISIT highlight of previous chats: https://www.newgrads.alumni.hku.hk/fireside-newgrads​