POLICE BLOTTER

Senior inspector Ron Yung reports on recent cases around town

Homemade hobbies

On the night of February 10, a male aged 19 was acting suspiciously on Fuk Man Road. When police searched him, they found a hand rolled cigarette containing suspected cannabis in his bag. The man was arrested at the scene.

Lock your doors

On January 28 a female parked her car at the Lion’s Education Centre. When she returned at 1pm, she found her handbag containing $3,000 in cash, passport, credit card and drivers license missing. When police arrived at the scene the victim admitted she forgot to lock her car. The case is still under investigation.

Biking blunders

At 9.59am on January 19, a female aged 24 was riding her bicycle on Pak Tam Road towards Hoi Ha. She lost balance and fell on her left side, sustaining injuries to her spine and left hand. She was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital in a conscious state and her bike was handed to a friend.

Watch your step

A female aged 31 began a hike with friends at Pak Tam Chung on the morning of January 30. During her hike to Kai Kung Leung, she twisted her right ankle and couldn’t walk. She was airlifted to Wan Chai Helipad at 2pm and taken to Ruttonjee Hospital for treatment.

No campside dinner tonight

A male aged 22 bought a camping stove via a Facebook group on the afternoon of January 24. After transferring $1,360 via Alipay, he never received the stove. When he attempted to contact the seller, he found that he was blocked for contacting them. The case is still under investigation.

Burglary prevention: • Secure doors and windows • Activate anti-burglary measures • Call 999 if you encounter a suspicious person Hold the handrail

On the morning of January 24, a male aged 33 went hiking with a friend to Sharp Peak. At 1.30pm he slipped down a staircase and fractured his right leg. He was airlifted to hospital in a conscious state.

What’s happening at sea

Based in Tui Min Hoi, Marine East Division is the local base of the Marine Police.

Close call

On the afternoon of February 4, an informant reported a man floating in the sea off Lung Ha Wan. The male, aged 37 was canoeing in the area when his boat capsized. Police located him wearing a lifejacket in a conscious state. The man and his canoe were brought onto the police launch and he declined further medical treatment.

True to its name

A male aged 52 went windsurfing from Port Shelter on the afternoon of January 16. He contacted the police at 5pm after the wind picked up through the day and he was unable to return back to Bayside Beach. The police located him off HKUST and guided him to safety. No injuries were reported.

Spreading like wildfire

On the evening of January 24, police received multiple calls about a vessel on fire inside The Inner Port Shelter. When police arrived at the scene they found the fire had spread to three nearby vessels. They evacuated the boats and the Fire Services Department put out the fire. It is believed to be caused by an electricity issue with no suspicion detected.

Canoe capsizes

On January 25, a male aged 18 and his friend canoed to Green Egg Island. Upon leaving the island that evening the canoe capsized off Lung Ha Wan and the boy injured his leg on the rocky shore. He was airlifted to Ruttonjee Hospital in a conscious state for medical treatment.

Roberta Boffo is the owner of Roberta’s Art House (RAH) Studio Gallery in Sai Kung and to many in the community, she is a teacher and friend. Boffo has had her studio for three years now, creating thought-provoking abstract work, demonstrating patience, control and phenomenal skill in every piece. Off the back of the most trialling year of her life, she takes stock of the blessings and battles that have come her way. From the confines of her quarantine hotel room, Boffo explains how trying last year was for her, professionally and personally, and the honest role art has played throughout it.

RAH Studio Gallery is Roberta’s dream come true. Since her time as an educator in Beijing, she had always wanted to run something she could call her own, where children could explore their imagination without having to ask for permission to do so first. “I wanted to have my own studio where I could teach kids, practice, produce and hold exhibitions too. As far back as I can remember, this had always been my dream.”

The journey to this point was far from easy for her, though. “At the beginning of my practice here in Hong Kong, I tried to fit in with a group of artists but I felt like I never measured up, maybe because I didn’t have any experience so I had more baggage with me than the others. But that was before,” she says. Since establishing a self-sustaining practice of her own, she’s become much more sure of who she is. “My experience with calligraphy in China brought me on this path. My practice is not common, not because it can’t be done, honestly. I just don’t see a lot of people doing what I do. If there isn’t a category for me then hell, I’m going to create one.”

Considering what RAH Studio Gallery means to Boffo, there are few things in this world that could pry her away from it. But in October last year, Boffo lost her mother. In a rush to get to her family, she flew to Italy where she stayed for four months. In an effort to cope with the unbearable, she did what she does best – picked up a pen and got to work. “After my mum’s passing, I remember just wanting to be released and I normally connect butterflies with the need to fly away. The last time I drew butterflies was five years ago. But I started drawing them again.”

The process of creating at this time, however, was incredibly difficult, “I was feeling so much all at the same time. I needed a place of comfort and to me, my art is a place I go to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. When I draw, psychologically speaking, I go to places where I feel so much. But I just couldn’t go there because I was thinking about things I couldn’t change,” Boffo explains.

Despite it all, she continues to push her limits as an artist. When it comes to her process, she revels in being tested. “I want to be dragged down to the black. The reality of things during Covid has taught me that when people think of art, they don’t think necessary for survival,” Boffo says. “But art is a dialogue. It’s a form of communication. People have had such a hard time being cut off from each other for so long because of the pandemic and personally, I miss being surrounded by my work. When I’m in my studio, it’s like the pieces are talking to me. They’re like sponges, they become impregnated with events in my life, they reflect memories that are forever saved in the work. Art might not be necessary for living, but it gives meaning to life.”

Looking at what 2021 will hold for her, Boffo is excited to get back to the dream she turned into reality. “As an artist, 2020 wasn’t a good year in terms of the shows and opportunities that I wanted to take. So for the studio, I plan to go back to doing classes and shows, and who knows? It would be nice to represent other artists who appreciate and use a similar medium to me.”

Above all, she can’t wait to be with her community again, “I’m looking forward to those face-to-face interactions that we’ve been missing so much. In terms of the future, that’s what’s been on my mind.” We can’t wait to see all that Roberta will achieve with RAH Studio Gallery. With a spirit like hers, it’s sure to be nothing short of inspirational.

Sai Kung artists to follow on Instagram

@alexcroftart

Alex Croft is best known for his Kowloon Wall City mural on Graham Street. Alex’s best work features a playful use of colours, layered geometric patterns and tightly packed elements. Having just created another mural right in the heart of Sai Kung as a commissioned piece for Winerack, you’ll be able to pick up on his distinctive style from a mile away.

Credit: Urban Sketchers Gary Yeung

@szabotage.me

Gustav Szabo is a seasoned artist with an impressive list of accolades. He has sold out an exhibition in London, been featured in numerous others and his list of commission clients include Louis Vuitton and Ritz Carlton. His wonderfully unique and vibrant work can be seen on the streets of Clearwater Bay, Cheung Chau, Causeway Bay and more.

@urbansketchershk

Gary Yeung is a talented live sketch artist. Having lived in Sai Kung for over 20 years, he finds joy in preserving places that are at risk of redevelopment, by capturing moments in time in his work. From street views to playgrounds and buildings, he captures the heart of Hong Kong, and uses Urban Sketchers Hong Kong, to share the work of other artists who are dedicated to doing the same.

Credit: Gustav Szabo