Let the Work Speak for Itself
Ms Grace Cheng
From Playback Theatre and ‘Flash Ensemble’ to the ‘International Festival of Inclusive Arts’ and ‘Cross All Borders’, Ms Cheng has seen countless artists with disabilities discover their potential and pursue professional careers in the arts
Ms Grace Cheng, Vice-Chairperson of Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK), first became involved with the Association during the 1990s while working in the exhibition department of the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Her connection began when she helped ADAHK organise an exhibition at the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s third-floor gallery.
During the exhibition preparations, she met the Association’s then Executive Secretary Mr Augustine Mok, as well as artist with disability Liu Tung-mui. The power of the artists’ creative expression, together with the Association’s commitment to arts inclusion, left a profound impression on her.
Since its establishment, the Hong Kong Arts Centre has appointed a representative as an ex officio member of the Association. In the late 1990s, at the invitation of Mr Oscar Ho, then Exhibition Director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre and an Honorary Advisor of ADAHK, Ms Cheng formally joined the Executive Committee and embarked on a journey that continues to this day.
Reflecting on those early years, she recalls that although the organisation was small, it was united by a strong sense of purpose.
‘We were like one family.’
At the time, public understanding of disability arts was extremely limited, and promoting the concept was far from easy. Much of the discourse surrounding artists with disabilities focused on their disability rather than their artistic achievements. ADAHK was among the first organisations to advocate a different approach: focusing on the artwork itself rather than the artist’s disability.
As a result, in exhibition planning, promotional materials and public engagement initiatives, the team gradually moved away from emphasising physical limitations and instead presented artists with disabilities through a professional artistic lens, seeking to challenge prevailing stereotypes and misconceptions.
Dr Marion Fang: A Mentor Who Shaped a Legacy
When asked about that one person who left the deepest impression on her, Ms Cheng immediately mentions the late Dr Marion Fang.
To her, Dr Fang was a visionary leader and an extraordinary mentor.
At every executive committee meeting, Dr Fang managed complex matters with clarity and precision while consistently upholding the principle of ‘artists first’. She not only remembered every artist by name but also ensured that their interests and well-being remained at the centre of every discussion.
Dr Fang’s leadership style deeply influenced the Association’s culture. She often reminded colleagues not to react impulsively when difficulties arose, but instead to remain calm, identify the root cause of a problem, and seek the most effective solution.
Her example fostered a strong sense of unity within the team and became one of the Association’s most cherished assets.
Perhaps most notably, as early as the beginning of the 2000s, Dr Fang advocated the term ‘artists of different abilities,’ emphasising talent, creativity and potential rather than disability. Her vision continues to shape the development of disability arts in Hong Kong today.
Early Development and Growth
Over the years, ADAHK has launched many pioneering initiatives that have contributed significantly to the development of disability arts in Hong Kong.
One project Ms Cheng remembers fondly is the early ‘Hong Kong Theatre of the Deaf,’ which produced several well-received productions. However, sustaining the group over the long term proved challenging as members moved on and resources remained limited.
Another memorable initiative was Playback Theatre, introduced to Hong Kong in 1996 by Ms Veronica Needa. Working alongside then Executive Secretary Mr Augustine Mok, Ms Cheng helped bring this interactive theatre practice into special schools, creating opportunities for students to express themselves, listen to others and build mutual understanding.
She also recalls the much-loved ‘ADA Angels Children’s Choir’. As members grew older and operational challenges emerged, the choir eventually evolved into today’s ‘Flash Ensemble’. Supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust through ‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Project Grant: Inclusive Arts Project’, the group’s development continues, carrying forward the spirit of inclusion through music.
Milestones Along the Journey
Looking back, Ms Cheng regards the ‘International Festival of Inclusive Arts’ in 2006 as one of the Association’s largest and most challenging undertakings.
The Festival featured large-scale drumming performances on both sides of Victoria Harbour, a Guinness World Record attempt, multiple performances, and joint exhibitions at venues including Hong Kong City Hall.
Dr York Chow, then the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, not only supported the Festival in his official capacity but also leveraged his personal network to help advance the project. Although the event required tremendous effort from staff and volunteers alike, it successfully raised public awareness and understanding of disability arts.
Another major milestone was the launch of ‘Cross All Borders’ in 2009.
Prior to its launch, only a handful of artists with disabilities were widely recognised by the public. ‘Cross All Borders’ created a platform for emerging artists with disabilities to be discovered, recognised, and supported in their professional artistic development.
Among the artists who left a particularly strong impression on Ms Cheng is Kevin Cheng. Known for embracing challenges in everyday life, he reveals a surprisingly gentle and sensitive side through his artwork. Ms Cheng believes that without ‘Cross All Borders’, audiences may never have had the opportunity to appreciate the richness and complexity of his inner world.
She also describes Liu Tung-mui as one of the most remarkable figures in disability arts. Despite significant physical limitations, her work is characterised by powerful lines, vivid colours and a passionate celebration of life. Her artistic achievements were nurtured not only by her own determination but also by a culturally rich upbringing. Her father, a film director in Mainland China, introduced her to the arts from an early age and took her to travel extensively and visit exhibitions, broadening her artistic perspective.
In 2004, Ms Cheng accompanied Tung-mui to Washington, D.C. to participate in the ‘International VSA arts Festival’, providing further opportunities for global artistic exchange and growth.
Looking Ahead: Advancing Professional Artistic Development
Looking ahead, Ms Cheng believes Hong Kong’s disability arts landscape has matured considerably. Numerous NGOs and arts organisations now contribute to the field through initiatives such as No Limits and other inclusive arts programmes.
Against this backdrop, she believes ADAHK should focus on its distinctive role within the sector.
Her vision is to help artists with disabilities build confidence, strengthen their professional capabilities and establish themselves within the mainstream arts sector.
More importantly, she hopes that they will not merely participate in the arts sector but emerge as leaders, using their creativity and artistic voices to inspire and reshape perceptions of ability and disability.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Ms Cheng has witnessed disability arts in Hong Kong grow from the aspiration of a small group of pioneers into a recognised cultural force.
She firmly believes the story is far from over. A new generation of artists with disabilities will write the next chapter, carrying the vision forward and redefining what is possible through the arts.
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