Cover Hong Kong artist Sophia Hotung is one of our Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2024 and the founder of the social enteprise Pangolin Society (Photo: Zed Leets)
Hong Kong artist Sophia Hotung is one of our Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2024 and the founder of the social enteprise Pangolin Society (Photo: Zed Leets)
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In this video series titled My First, Sophia Hotung shares her first milestones while establishing Pangolin Society, a social enterprise fundraising for charitable causes through art
A team of dragon boat racers row tirelessly in a competition under the scorching sun; children play basketball at the courts in front of the iconic Choi Hung Estate; a writer grinds on her novel at a cafe in the central business district as commuters ride on an escalator—these mundane yet unique snapshots of life in Hong Kong have inspired many of illustrator Sophia Hotung’s artwork.
Through her work, she stuck a chord with her fellow city dwellers and pulled herself from the deep end of distress that resulted from her chronic illness.
Read more: Meet Sophia Hotung, the accidental artist behind the Hong Konger prints
Diagnosed with seven different autoimmune diseases, Hotung used to resent herself because she could not overcome her sickness. The diseases left her bedridden and plagued with symptoms such as cramps and fatigue. It also marked the end of her corporate career.
With only an iPad, a stylus pen and a deep affection for Hong Kong, she began drawing to pass the time. One of her most notable series is The Hong Konger, a local twist to the cover of the American magazine The New Yorker.
Above Sophia Hotung is the creator of ‘The Hong Konger’, a collection that puts a local spin on the covers of American magazine ‘The New Yorker’ (Photo: Ryan Lee)
Sophia Hotung is the creator of ‘The Hong Konger’, a collection that puts a local spin on the covers of American magazine ‘The New Yorker’ (Photo: Ryan Lee)
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Although she continues to battle her illness, Hotung has achieved many milestones over the years: from selling her first piece of art to publishing her first book and fundraising for a charity through the Pangolin Society, a social enterprise she started.
In June 2024, Tatler Gen.T recognised Hotung as one of our Leaders of Tomorrow. In our latest series, My First, a collection of one-minute videos featuring our honourees’ first pivotal moments in their careers, we invited Hotung to share her inspiring story. Here are some of the highlights of her interview.
Read more: My First: 10 of Hong Kong’s rising stars on the most pivotal moments in their careers
Watch the My First series on the Tatler Gen.T Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.
Her first turning point
Above A sufferer of various autoimmune conditions, Sophia Hotung is also a passionate disability advocate (Photo: Sophia Hotung)
A sufferer of various autoimmune conditions, Sophia Hotung is also a passionate disability advocate (Photo: Sophia Hotung)
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“The turning point for me was learning to accept my chronic illnesses. I got sick when I was 16 and I was always told to overcome the illnesses and fight them. That wasn’t productive. That was only making me more aggressive towards myself. When I learned to live in tandem with my chronic illnesses, I felt so much better and felt like my life had turned around.”
Pursuing a creative career
“I was ill in bed and didn’t have anything to do. I soon realised that my art was worth selling. I learned how to price art, where to go for printing, framing, how limited editions worked, but also how to work with other people in the industry.”
Her first sale
“What was most rewarding was when someone bought my first piece of art. I still remember my first sale. Hustling during that fair, trying to talk to people about the work and get them on board and then having them walk out of the room without buying anything. It was tough. That final sale that happened late in the fair. It was my first one and it made the hustle all feel worth it.”
Her first art show
Above As an artist, Sophia Hotung creates digital works with a grainy, textured, retro aesthetic that recalls physical art media (Photo: Ryan Lee)
As an artist, Sophia Hotung creates digital works with a grainy, textured, retro aesthetic that recalls physical art media (Photo: Ryan Lee)
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“The art fair happened during a massive typhoon that caused a landslide. The hotel lobby where the fair was held flooded and we were really stressed out the whole time. But it gave me this galvanising sense that if I can do my first art show during a typhoon, what else can’t I do? Probably most things.”
Why she founded the Pangolin Society
Above Hotung is the founder of the Pangolin Society, which marries corporate strategies and creative solutions rooted in art to help charities with fundraising (Photo: Sophia Hotung)
Hotung is the founder of the Pangolin Society, which marries corporate strategies and creative solutions rooted in art to help charities with fundraising (Photo: Sophia Hotung)
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“When I developed the Pangolin Society, it was to replicate what I had done for myself. I felt like I had gotten out of a hole through art. What I do now is help charities get out of holes or fixes by using art to generate revenue for them. Giving them resources and products that they can monetise is helpful, and there’s a ripple effect.”
Quotes are edited for clarity and brevity.
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Tatler Gen.T My First series
In Tatler Gen.T’s My First video series, we explore the milestones of the Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow who are positively influencing the region, setting a path for those who will follow in their footsteps.
Based in Hong Kong, editor Yoyo Chow covers the people and ideas redefining Asia’s future—from cutting-edge innovation and AI to bold moves in sustainability and diversity. She also drives content for Tatler Gen.T in Hong Kong, a platform and community spotlighting the region’s next generation of startup founders, creatives and changemakers.
Before that, she was a video journalist producing content for international TV and digital platforms, including Reuters and South China Morning Post. If you have a powerful story to share, she’s all ears. Send press materials, event invites and any inquiries to yoyo.chow@tatlerasia.com.
