On October 15, 2025, the "Explore GBA Through Comics" Greater Bay Area Animation Artists Exhibition opened at Wyndham Social in Central, Hong Kong, featuring over 70 diverse works by renowned artists from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, including Tony Wong Yuk-long, Lee Chi-ching, Cao Xue, and Jin Cheng. The exhibition will run until October 19 with free admission.
The exhibition showcases a wide range of works, from classic martial arts comics and Chinese ink paintings to modern creations such as 3D digital illustrations, multi-panel comics, and freehand drawings. From iconic city landmarks to intricate details like the Ao Fish (a mythical fish believed to ward off fire) adorning temple ridges, everyday elements are reimagined as compelling IPs.
The sketching activity themed "Explore the Greater Bay Area Through Comics" was launched in Guangzhou in late August this year. Over 10 comic artists from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) visited Guangzhou, Foshan, and Shenzhen for the field trip and exchanges.
During the four-day sketching activity, the artists learned about Ip Man's Wing Chun, Shiwan ceramics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and humanoid robots. Their works blended Lingnan cultures with GBA technologies, transforming them into story-rich comics.
Jerry Cho, a young comic creator from Hong Kong, experienced the test flight of EHang's EH216-S unmanned aircraft. "I am used to immersing myself in the scene to create authentic images. Viewing from above offers me a fresh perspective, which helps me create heroic comics in the future," said Jerry excitedly.
"Field trips are actually my favorite activity. The Lingnan School of Painting also advocates sketching from nature because everything—the environment, every tree, and every brick—carries its own meaning and warmth," said Lee Chi-ching, a renowned Hong Kong martial arts comic master and an inheritor of the Lingnan School of Painting.
Jin Cheng, the Chairman of the Guangdong Cartoonists Association, noted that animation in the Chinese mainland has developed through exchanges with Hong Kong and Macao animation. This field trip has provided a communication platform for animation artists from the GBA. Moreover, the collection of valuable resources from traditional Chinese culture and the introduction of previously unknown historical and cultural elements will inspire future animation and comic creation.
Photo | Guangzhou Cartoonists Association
Editor | Liu Yuetong (intern), Li Lan (intern), Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
