Exhibition displays true grit of Hong Kong’s cleaners with art that tells their stories
Event curator Liu Kwok-hong says the installations, photos and performance videos highlight the need to view these workers with respect.
This scarecrow is an art installation that cleaning workers made using trash. Photo: SCMPEvery week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we’ve written.
A scarecrow – not made of straw and hay but of Doraemon figures, takeaway bowls and bent hangers collected from Hong Kong’s trash stations – forms the centrepiece of an art installation created by the city’s cleaners.
Much like how scarecrows are used to ward off pests, this life-size figure is intended to send a message to those who litter.
The artwork was part of “Gritty Realm”, an exhibition held at Thy Lab in Sham Shui Po. It offered a glimpse into the lives of about 30 frontline cleaners, who shared their personal stories through photography, performance videos and installations. The exhibition invited viewers to experience cleaners’ resilience, struggles and pursuit of happiness.
Curator Liu Kwok-hong explained that the workers, who joined workshops about expressive art therapy, chose to make their scarecrow into a human figure that symbolised their labour. They also added a smiley face to reflect their belief that work should be enjoyable, as they take pride in what they do.
Liu shared that one cleaner, who sweeps leaves in Repulse Bay, described how a passer-by would cover their nose in disgust as he walked by. Another worker, responsible for garbage disposal at a residential block, said some residents would carelessly toss out trash.
“The workers talked about how even brief interactions with residents make a difference. When residents show respect and handle their trash properly, it eases their burden,” said Liu, who specialises in community art.
“They all expressed the same message: [they want] respect and an end to discrimination. They hope people will help keep the area clean, rather than leaving all the responsibility to them.”
Storytelling through art
As part of the Caritas Labour-Friendly Communities Project, the exhibition aimed to raise awareness about the health of cleaners, boost the effectiveness of their labour, and foster a worker-friendly environment.
The exhibition also held more than 20 workshops where cleaners led public participants through the displays. One of these tour guides was Sun*, an outsourced cleaner who works with the pest and rodent control team in the Central and Western district.
“All of this work is for society. As long as I’m able, I’m happy to help. That’s why I became an outsourced cleaner – my goal is to serve the community and improve my work,” shared Sun, who is in his late 60s.
Hong Kong urged to better protect outdoor cleaners from heatstroke: NGO
The exhibition’s photography series, “Song of the Cleaners”, features five workers who clean different areas, such as the city’s streets, industrial buildings and residential blocks. Each photo is a nuanced portrayal capturing the highs and lows of their lives.
One picture features a cleaner who was once a master at a fabric factory and now cleans in an industrial building. Reflecting on her youth, she is seen looking at an old photo album, with the clothes she made in the past as the background. Now, at 75, her children have grown up, and she lives on her own.
While she initially struggled to accept her cleaning job, Liu said that she came to take pride in knowing that she does this work with her own hands.
He said: “She still enjoys dressing up and looking her best. Of the many photos taken of her, [this] one ... perfectly captures her life’s story: a smile that holds a mix of satisfaction and unspoken sadness.”
Song of the Cleaners
To create the photography series, Liu visited each worker in their home to better understand their story.
The pictures show the cleaners in their uniforms, with cleaning supplies placed in their homes. The placement of these items is meant to create a visual contrast – putting “dirty” objects in the comfort of their homes. Liu wanted to show how the perception of this job could affect someone’s personal life and self-worth.
“When people see cleaners on the street, they often see them only in a functional way: cleaning streets or toilets. They don’t think about ... their life stories,” he said.
“By bringing these tools into their homes, I wanted to show that the impact isn’t just about being overlooked or marginalised. It also influences how they perceive their own value.”
The curator noted that at the heart of these cleaners’ stories is the simple pursuit of happiness.
“When I tried to speak to them about labour rights or invited them to vent their frustrations, they often shifted the conversation towards happy moments. This shows how overwhelming their jobs can be, and they naturally gravitate towards something ... uplifting,” Liu noted.
“Instead of viewing them only through the lens of labour, we should recognise them as whole, multidimensional human beings.”
Why cleaners are teaching students about responsible waste disposal
To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.