Name: Mr Tse Ming-Chong
UK university: Goldsmiths College, University of London
Subject studied: MA in Image and Communication
Dates studied: September 2003 − 2004
Ming Chong is a renowned contemporary photographer and the founder and chairman of Lumenvisum. He has devoted himself to promoting contemporary photography worldwide by curating numerous contemporary Hong Kong photography exhibitions and community art projects. He is currently the Head of Design Foundation Studies at Hong Kong Design Institute. He was also the winner of the Professional Achievement Award at the Study UK Alumni Awards 2017, and he received the Award for Arts Education at the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2014 for the project ‘18x24: Photo Adventure in Hong Kong.’
Ming Chong shared with us of the below.
I am a visual-spatial learner, and that has made my study journey very different from most students in Hong Kong.
I completed my journalism degree at Hong Kong Baptist University and, on my 40th birthday, after working as a photojournalist and photo editor, I decided to go back to university. I received the Chevening Scholarship to study Image and Communication at Goldsmiths College in London. Since graduating from Goldsmiths, my career has changed dramatically. I became an art educator and worked for Hong Kong Art School. Later, I joined Hong Kong Design Institute as Head of Foundation Studies. I set up a photography degree programme at both institutes. I also founded the Higher Diploma in Visual Design for Journalism programme in response to the changes in the media in Hong Kong.
In 2007, I founded Lumenvisum, an NGO focused on promoting photography in Hong Kong, with my friends. We have a small gallery and a photography library located at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC). We run various photography community projects for the public and workshops for students.
I really enjoy the openness and the diversity of Goldsmiths College. I visited a lot of art and photography exhibitions and events during the time I was studying in London. It helped me to appreciate the characteristics of contemporary photography.
Goldsmiths College has inspired me by showing me how influential images can have in society. This encouraged me to devote myself to photography education in Hong Kong.
