Dream Beyond Silence: Ko Nam
Ko Nam has used his work to share stories of Hong Kong and Deaf culture, while drawing inspiration from different cultures to broaden his artistic horizons.
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From an early age, Ko Nam was passionate about drawing. However, as a Deaf artist, his path to learning and pursuing the arts was often filled with loneliness and obstacles.
It was not until he joined Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK) that he truly felt his talent was recognised and valued, rather than being defined by his disability.
A Meaningful Encounter with ADAHK
After joining the Association, Ko Nam gained access to a broader range of opportunities for artistic development, exhibitions, and cultural exchange. He also met fellow artists and professionals from diverse disciplines. He connected with fellow artists and professionals from various backgrounds. Over the years, ADAHK has not only given him platforms to showcase his artwork but has also supported and encouraged him as he stepped onto both local and international stages.
In Ko Nam’s eyes, ADAHK has always believed in the abilities of its artists with disabilities and supported them every step of the way. This unwavering encouragement has helped his work reach wider audiences and has fuelled his dedication to his artistic journey.
The Greatest Gift of the Arts
Over the years, Ko Nam has represented ADAHK at arts festivals and cultural exchange programmes around the world, travelling to numerous countries and cities.
For him, however, the most memorable part of these experiences has never been the awards or accolades, but the human connections made possible through the arts.
As a Deaf person, he deeply understands the limitations language can impose. Yet when people stand before an artwork, the arts become a universal language that transcends words.
Through the arts, Ko Nam has exchanged creative ideas with artists from different cultural backgrounds, sharing Hong Kong culture and the stories of Deaf artists with international audiences. At the same time, he has drawn inspiration from various cultures, continually enriching both his vision and creativity.
Each genuine exchange has reinforced his belief that the arts can bridge languages and cultures, foster friendships and promote mutual understanding.
These connections, he says, are amongst the most valuable rewards of his artistic journey.
Art as a Dialogue with Society
From local exhibitions and international exchanges to interdisciplinary collaborations and community arts projects, the Association has consistently given Ko Nam opportunities and support.
These experiences have shown him that the arts are far more than an individual act of creation. It is a way of communicating and engaging in dialogue with society.
As a result, his artistic focus has expanded to encompass human relationships, the natural environment, social and cultural issues, and the many moving stories found in everyday life. These observations and experiences continue to inspire his work.
In recent years, Ko Nam has held a solo exhibition in the United States, bringing his work to a broader international audience. Looking back on his achievements, he firmly believes that every milestone has been made possible through the Association’s long-standing support, encouragement and companionship.
Hoping Future Generations of Artists with Disabilities Will Be Recognised for Their Art
As both a witness to and participant in the development of disability arts in Hong Kong, Ko Nam has high hopes for the next generation of artists with disabilities.
He believes that while technical skills are important, artists must also nurture their passion, curiosity and willingness to challenge themselves. He encourages young artists to make the most of digital technology, social media and international exchange opportunities to share their work with the world.
He hopes to see more exhibition opportunities, overseas exchanges, artist residency programmes, professional training initiatives and funding support, enabling emerging artists with disabilities to pursue their dreams on a larger stage.
More importantly, he hopes that society will look beyond labels and appreciate artists with disabilities for the quality of their work rather than their disability.
In his view, what truly moves people is not an artist’s identity, but the ideas, emotions and power conveyed through their work.
Looking ahead, he hopes to keep using his art to share Hong Kong’s stories, celebrate Deaf culture, and share the moments that have touched his life with audiences around the world.
Because he firmly believes that: ‘Art knows no boundaries, and neither do dreams.’
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