LAMMA ISLAND, Hong Kong – Fantastic artwork takes shape on the rooftops, patios, balconies and elsewhere across this outlying island. Maybe it’s time for more art to sell here too.

Eager to inspire even more creativity, proprietor Dorothy (Dolly) Ng at the Cultural Collections shop on the “tourist trail” in Lamma’s largest village, plans “an experiment” to help local artists to sell more creations. Each weekend, she’ll rent tables or booths outside her store to artists of all genres, creating a “mini cultural bazaar” of art, handicrafts and other items.

“We indeed have many talented individuals and artists on this island,” Dolly said. “The important thing is to instill the passion for art-crafts and creative-design objects into people to keep all the art and handicraft works going.

“I always admire and appreciate the passions of people who put their time and efforts into creating things bit by bit. That’s getting less common. Nowadays, most things come from mass-production.

“Many people have asked me to rent them space. Partly, it’s due to the tough economy. They want to bring out some of their new things and art-crafts, simultaneously testing the market.”

Paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, handicrafts, unusual design work, books and more… you name it. Dolly welcomes anything that reflects creativity. “We want to share cultural objects, even those from other countries,” she said. “After all, Lamma’s a very international place.

“Hopefully, this fulfils some of our Lamma community’s dreams, and people should love it! Individuals can become entrepreneurs in a small way without making a big investment or having the hawker-control people chase them.”

In a “win-win situation”, Dolly will charge a modest daily rental fee. Then the vendors can sell to the thousands of passing pedestrians.

Artists may like the notion of creating new works from Monday to Friday and then selling on the weekends. There’s space for four to six vendors. Dolly expects ample demand to rent it: “Some people already have moved their things here waiting for me to say ‘go’.” To ensure fairness and variety, she’ll keep a waiting list.

Originally from Malaysia, Dolly arrived in Hong Kong “years ago” on a student-exchange program. After a diverse career in human-resources work, including with multinational companies, she decided to apply her aesthetic values by opening a store full of “beautiful things”.

The three-year-old Cultural Collections shop offers batik and tie-die clothing, arts and crafts, handcrafted silver jewelry, paintings and more. While favoring local artists, Dolly also sources in Western China. “Each piece is unique – there’s no second one,” she said.

Dolly recalls the first time she visited Lamma -- back in 1996. She thought: “Wow! This is a nice place. It’s unique.” Where better to display beautiful things than in a beautiful place?



A cultural costume gets a few gentle adjustments.


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