Description

During this year's "Art March", MTR has specially collaborated with "Cowboy", an original classic comic that has spanned 50 years and has accompanied the growth of Hong Kong people. From today (March 14, 2025) to March 23, the "Cowboy Accompanying You on a Journey to Find Memories Creative Exhibition" will be presented at the MTR Hong Kong Station, allowing the public and Hong Kong comics fans to relive the unique Hong Kong comics feelings during the MTR journey and pay tribute to the classic work.

In addition to exhibiting Wang Sima's collection of manuscripts and classic paintings, the venue also displays "Cowboy"-style vinyl dolls and paintings created by more than 20 local performing artists and artists, a 1.3-meter-high "Cowboy" sculpture, a newly created "Cowboy" animation and artist interviews. Visitors can receive a limited edition "Cowboy" postcard for collection. In addition, ten MTR stations will simultaneously display large-scale four-frame comic murals of "Cowboy", presenting the heartwarming story of "Cowboy", allowing art and social development to be integrated into passengers' daily journeys.

The 1970s: The Golden Age of Hong Kong Comics

In the 1970s, comics in Hong Kong flourished. They were not only the main form of entertainment and popular pastime for the citizens, but were also deeply rooted in social life. Wong Sima, the original author of the "Cowboy" comics, is known as the founder of Hong Kong's story-based comics. He is as famous as Wong Chak, who created "Old Master Q", and Li Huizhen, who created "Thirteen Points" at the same time. He laid an important foundation for local comic culture. Among them, "Cowboy" uses humorous and warm four-frame comics to delicately depict the various aspects of life of citizens at that time, becoming a classic of newspaper serialized comics.

The exhibition displays the original author Wang Sima's precious manuscripts and old items to experience the cartoonist's daily life

For the first time in 40 years, the exhibition will display the collection of manuscripts and classic paintings loaned by the descendants of Wong Sima, including Wong Sima's original manuscripts. In addition to "Cowboy", there is also another four-frame comic creation "Pretty Susan", as well as illustrations drawn for Jin Yong's novel "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", allowing the public to appreciate the brushwork and creativity of this Hong Kong comic master up close. The precious collection of Wang Sima will also be exhibited at the same event, allowing visitors to share the works and life of this legendary cartoonist.

Contemporary artists collaborate to create comics that showcase the heritage and influence of Hong Kong comics

This exhibition has invited more than 20 local entertainers and artists who were deeply inspired by the "Cowboy" works to create vinyl dolls and paintings in different "cowboy" styles, reinterpreting the classic comics in a unique style and continuing the collective memories of the public. The stellar line-up of participating artists, including Lam Hoi-fung, Eric Kot, Gigi Leung, Lee Chi-tat, Joey Chu, Shek Ka-ho, Yeung Hok-tak, Siu Hak, Lai Tat-wing, Chen Ali, Yeung Tin-ming, Man Seng, Cuson Lo, Pen So, b.wing, Paul Lung, Steven Choi, Don Mak, John Ho, Prodip Leung, Knoa C and Bonnie Pang, demonstrates the profound impact of Cowboy on the Hong Kong art scene. In addition, the exhibition will also display the winning works of the "Hong Kong Open Cowboy Four-Frame Comic Creation Competition" to promote and encourage Hong Kong comic creation.

1:1 "Cowboy" sculpture debuts, welcomes the public to check in

The exhibition features a large poster of a railway carriage scene designed by the famous artist Li Zhida, and a 1.3-meter-high "Cowboy" sculpture, allowing passengers and Hong Kong comics fans to check in with the "Cowboy" family up close. The exhibition will also screen a newly created "Cowboy" animation and interviews with artists, sharing their unforgettable memories and stories about "Cowboy", allowing the public to better understand the different aspects of this classic comic book "Cowboy".

Giant four-frame comic murals are displayed simultaneously at ten stations to integrate classics into passengers' railway journeys

In addition to the exhibition at Hong Kong Station, ten MTR stations will display large-scale "Cowboy" four-frame comic murals, including Hong Kong Station, Central Station, Causeway Bay Station, Prince Edward Station, Yau Tong Station, Hang Hau Station, Nam Cheong Station, North Point Station, Ho Man Tin Station and Tsuen Wan West Station. The stations will be transformed into four-frame comic story walls to present the heartwarming stories of "Cowboy". Many of the stories incorporate railway elements and nearby landmarks, allowing art and social development to be integrated into passengers' daily journeys and accompany their travels.

Limited edition postcards will be distributed free of charge during the exhibition

At the same time, MTR will extend the warmth of the story into daily life. Based on the theme poster of this exhibition and three four-frame "Cowboy" comics by Sima Wang that incorporate railway elements, a set of four limited edition postcards will be produced and distributed free of charge to passengers during the exhibition period. Styles will be randomly distributed, quantity is limited, and distribution will start while stocks last.

Ms. Chua Siu Mien, Director of Corporate Affairs and Branding of MTR Corporation, said: “Cowboys is based on the daily life of citizens. Through interesting four-frame comics, it brings infinite warmth to Hong Kong people who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, accompanying everyone’s growth with innocence and family affection. Through this exhibition, passengers can unexpectedly meet “cowboys” of different generations during their journey. Through simple and inspiring stories, it connects the social landscape of today and the past, and at the same time evokes the innocent and warm moments of everyone’s growth. "