Hong Kong Panorama 1997

Acrylic on canvas
6x12ft / 1.83x3.66m

Statistics on making a panoramic painting to mark the historic return to China of Hong Kong and the New Territories:

The painting was made with a team of assistants over a three year period, reconstructing and representing every building visible from the highest point of
Hong Kong.

The panoramic view is a 6 ft x 12 ft (1.83 x 3.66m) acrylic on canvas painting.

It represents a 180 degree view from The Peak - the highest point of Hong Kong - and records the city with Kowloon and the distant hills of the New Territories as seen on
1 July 1997.

The method of painting was mainly sprayed - therefore all areas had to be covered with masking tape.

above: Detail Hong Kong Panorama

Initial research, photographs and studies in Hong Kong: 80 hours

Work in London studio:

Preparatory drawing 2500 hours

Colour mixing of more than 500 colours - 240 hours

Transfer of drawing onto canvas prior to spraying and painting 120 hours

Painting hours - total over 8000 hours

Total hours spent making the painting - 10860 hours or 271 weeks equal to six working years

People directly involved in making the painting - six

Number of buildings represented - over 3000

Number of windows represented - over 5000

Thinnest line sprayed less than 1000th of an inch/0.2mm

Average width of masking tape 1/8 inch or 3mm

Amount of masking tape used approximately 24 miles/40 kilometres

Number of scalpel blades used for cutting tape 5000

above: Hong Kong Panorama in progress

The Hong Kong Panorama, commissioned by Cable & Wireless, was presented to the people of China by Hong Kong Telecom to be a symbol of the new Hong Kong. It was accepted on their behalf and ceremonially named by the incoming Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Tung Chee-Hwa. in July 1997.

It currently hangs in the New Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong.