On The Scene with Bamboo Scenes Madelon de Grave Meet

Founder of Bamboo Scenes

Tell us a bit about yourself and background?

I’m originally from the Netherlands and with Indonesian roots. From a young age, I developed a strong appetite to discover the world and a desire to always follow my heart. After a series of transformative experiences around the world - with two years in Guatemala, a stretch in Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Shanghai and more - I eventually arrived in Hong Kong in 2015.

Driven by my passion for photography and storytelling, I felt the need to offer a more accessible way for art enthusiasts around the world to engage with Hong Kong’s vibrant art scene. It was then that the idea of Bamboo Scenes was born

Tell us about Bamboo Scenes and what inspired you?

I founded Bamboo Scenes in 2017 as a Hong Kong-based curator of exceptional local photography art. With our collection of highly curated photography art prints, art enthusiasts around the world can discover Hong Kong through the eyes of the most exciting local artists, and acquire a piece of art that truly speaks to them.

Each art print is a limited edition of 50 and is made using certified Hahnemühle Fine Art Paper. Our custom frames are all handmade to order and come in three colours (Black, White, and Natural Wood).

My inspiration comes from unfolding stories and working alongside creatives who pursue their passion in life. And to truly appreciate art, I believe you have to go beyond the visual to create a compelling, emotional connection. With specially crafted videos and written content, we aim to tell the stories and push the boundaries of what people think photography art can be.

Can you tell us about the 2 latest photographers that will be featured at Indigo Living?

I am very excited to see Bamboo Scenes partner with Indigo Living, a fantastic homegrown brand, to create a truly immersive art experience. For our second exhibition with Indigo Living, we will be featuring two amazing photography artists from Hong Konglandscape photographer Kelvin Yuen and urban artist Vivien Liu.

Kelvin Yuen his focus is on capturing the city’s rugged wilderness from places like Sai Kung, Tsing Yi, the Eagle’s Nest Nature Trails, and the Peak. He won his first award, in the Young Division of the 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest, at just 19 with a captivating nightscape shot from Kowloon Peak. He is best known for his stunning nightscape image “Magical Night”, that won him the 2020 International Landscape Photographer of the Year award.

Vivien Liu channeled her love of architecture into a passion for photographing the urban scenes of cities around the world. She has a unique perspectives of one of the world’s most built-up cities. In 2016, she founded Studio UNIT, an architecture, interior, and portrait photography studio, through which she has worked with international clients like Nikon, Leica, Jack Daniels, American Express, and Huawei.

How do you select / find your photographers? What do you look for?

We put a lot of emphasis on curating an exceptional collection of photography art, and that’s why we work with an exclusive selection of artists. Not only do we try to curate photography art prints that capture the essence of Hong Kong, but we look for artists and artworks that have a story to tell.

That’s why all of our eight award-winning artists are professionals who have honed their own unique styles and become pioneers in their field.

Lastly, tell us 1 secret find in Hong Kong ?

My secret find in Hong Kong is definitely picturesque but more importantly… it is tasty! One of my favourite places to experience Hong Kong is at Sing Heung Yuen, a “dai pai dong” tucked away on Mee Lun Street in Central. With small chairs and tables set out on the pavement, the ladies running the space always make me feel at home and offer me the most genuine experience I ever had in the city.