- Title: Hong Kong artist offers free protest-themed tattoo
- Date: 27th August 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (AUGUST 26, 2019) (REUTERS) 28-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG TATTOO ARTIST ZADA LAM DRAWING ON CAMERA LENS LAM SITTING AND PREPARING FOR TATTOO SESSION HAND FILLING TATTOO INK INTO CONTAINER CUSTOMER SITTING DOWN FOR SESSION LAM RETRIEVING INK WITH NEEDLE FROM CONTAINER VARIOUS OF TATTOO SESSION IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) 28-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG TATTOO ARTIST, ZADA LAM, SAYING: "In fact, the main reason for this design is that there was a lot of things happening in Hong Kong in June. During that time, I suddenly wanted to design this image. The main components of this image is an umbrella and a (Bauhinia) flower which symbolizes Hong Kong. The idea to design of this image is to show umbrella is protecting the flower and Hong Kong." VARIOUS OF TATTOO SESSION IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) 28-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG TATTOO ARTIST, ZADA LAM, SAYING: "In my mind, tattoos are an art, a kind of carrier that can keep some of your memories, and some things you want to record on your skin. Or like this image, it's a way to tell others, to share the experiences and certain things, which is also a way to connect with others." CUSTOMER LOOKING ON OUTLINE OF PROTEST-THEMED TATTOO ON CUSTOMER (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) UNNAMED TATTOO CUSTOMER, SAYING: "Just like everything that happened in Hong Kong recently, it is the same as the tattoo which is difficult to be erased in any case. It is like the core value of Hong Kong people, once we decide, we stay persistent and hold the same beliefs, just like the idea of getting a tattoo; there is no chance to regret, just like everyone insisting the same values and beliefs." VARIOUS OF TATTOO SESSION IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) 28-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG TATTOO ARTIST, ZADA LAM, SAYING: "I think this is the thing that a tattooist, as an artist can do (to show the support). Sometimes there are many things we can't do after we grow up or because we have no time, we have to work and we cannot go to the frontline. So this is the only thing I can do for the people and Hong Kong." VARIOUS OF TATTOO SESSION IN PROGRESS FINISHED TATTOO SHOWING GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF UMBRELLA AND HONG KONG'S SYMBOLIC BAUHINIA FLOWER HONG KONG, CHINA (AUGUST 24, 2019) (REUTERS) CUSTOMER LYING DOWN WHILE GETTING TATTOOED BY LAM TATTOO SESSION IN PROGRESS LAM DOING TATTOO (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) TATTOO CUSTOMER, JASMINE, SAYING: "The main reason to get this bauhinia flower tattoo is because the bauhinia flower is the symbol of Hong Kong. As it is the logo of our regional flag, I want to tattoo the flower to reflect what happened recently and show my support to Hong Kong." VARIOUS OF FINISHED TATTOO SHOWING GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF BAUHINIA FLOWER HONG KONG, CHINA (AUGUST 25, 2019) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS GATHERED WITH UMBRELLAS AS POLICE FIRE TEAR GAS
- Embargoed: 10th September 2019 08:27
- Keywords: Hong Kong China tattoo protest Bauhinia umbrella inking
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001ATZRUX3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ongoing protest and violent crackdowns has clouded Hong Kong over the past few months since June, as youngsters took to the streets and battle with riot police relentlessly.
For some Hong Kongers, the fight is growing bigger and is becoming an iconic symbol of restraint against superpower. So, they are now engraving the fight onto their skins as a remembrance.
With his popular geometric design of the umbrella and bauhinia flower, 28-year old tattoo artist Zada Lam said he has given over 200 people the protest-themed tattoo since it all started in June - and for free.
"The idea is the umbrella is protecting the flower and Hong Kong," Lam said, who currently serves two customers each day.
For one of Lam's customer, the tattoo is a reminder for what they are fighting for in the past two months.
"It is like the core value of Hong Kong people, once we decide, we stay persistent and hold the same beliefs," said the customer who refused to be named.
Last weekend's protests saw some of the fiercest clashes yet between police and demonstrators since protests escalated in mid-June over a now-suspended extradition bill that would have allowed Hong Kong people to be sent to mainland China for trial.
The city's embattled leader said the government has zero tolerance on the escalating violence after police fired water cannon and volleys of tear gas in running battles with protesters who threw bricks and petrol bombs.
The Chinese-ruled city is grappling with its biggest political crisis since its handover to Beijing in 1997 and Communist Party authorities have sent a clear warning that forceful intervention is possible to quell the violence.
"Just like the idea of tattooing there is no chance to regret," said the client.
(Production: Ebrahim Harris, Stefica Nicol Bikes, Joyce Zhou, Juarawee Kittisilpa) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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