From serious watercolours to quirky comic book designs, we highlight five distinctive voices making big waves in the local art scene

Hello Wong

As a post-90s Hong Kong digital illustrator, Hello Wong centres his work on the everyday rhythms and quirks of the city. His style is grounded and straightforward, often spotlighting relatable social phenomena and local habits – think queuing culture, workplace attitudes and daily gripes. He zooms in on these small details, amplifying them through expressive characters and clean compositions. While the sharp humour draws people in, it’s his keen observation that forms the true core of his illustrations. Because they resonate so closely with lived experience, his pieces are widely shared, easily sparking collective recognition and a shared sense of “that’s so Hong Kong.”

Little Thunder

Born in 1984, Little Thunder has become an increasingly prominent figure in both local and international comic scenes. Though still relatively young, her work has steadily expanded onto the global stage. Characters are carefully constructed, and the worlds they inhabit feel complete and immersive. While deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s cultural context, her narratives still remain accessible to overseas readers. Through character and plot, she offers insight into Hong Kong’s emotional landscape and everyday realities.

Pei Chung

Pei Chung is known for his bold use of colour, with his figures often appearing in vivid and saturated blocks. Formally trained in illustration, he later chose to pursue life as a full-time watercolour artist, holding solo exhibitions and publishing his art book Emotions: Illustrated by Pei Chung. Seven years into full-time practice, his daily rhythm has evolved, yet one thing remains constant: painting is still his way of organising inner emotions. He has also collaborated with brands such as K11, Adidas, VDL, Vivienne Westwood and more to introduce his distinctive visual language to a wider audience.

So Wing Hong

So Wing Hong is the creator behind the widely loved character “Dai Ma Shing”. His illustrations circulate extensively across social media, and sticker series such as Grandma Walks Fast, Dai Ma Shing and The Philosophy of a Wise Wife are instantly recognisable. Interestingly, he didn’t major in art at university and only entered the design field after graduation. This unconventional path lends his work an authentic, lived-in feel – less polished and academic, more rooted in real observation. His illustrations capture subtle urban emotions and everyday interactions, turning fleeting Hong Kong moments into shared laughter and instant relatability.

Tse Sai Pei

With a humorous yet slightly realistic touch, Tse Sai Pai depicts the routines of Hong Kong people while also exploring female psychology and personal vulnerability. Having spent time living in the UK, she developed a layered perspective on both city life and self-identity. In recent years, she has incorporated her experience of living with a skin condition into her art, an approach that is candid without being sentimental.

Also see: Photographer Annie Leibovitz on turning fleeting moments into pop culture icons