Ed van der Elsken: Hong Kong 1959-60

A showcase of 130 vintage works by Dutch photography icon Ed van der Elsken (1925-1990) is currently on display at the F11 Foto Museum in Hong Kong. This marks the first time the series, which was created in the Asian metropolis in 1959 and 1960, is presented in its entirety. The exhibition is open for public viewing from October 3, 2019 to February 28, 2020.

In 1989, just one year before his death, the photographer went through his archive and unearthed a never-published series of images he had captured during a three-week stay in Hong Kong in 1959–1960. The collection is an extraordinary portrait of the city and its inhabitants long before the advent of neon signs and high-rise buildings. Publishers Dewi Lewis subsequently released the series in the form of a photo book titled ‘Hong Kong the Way It Was’. The 15 last remaining volumes are available via the F11 Foto Museum for HK$ 2,800 (approx. € 330).

For further details visit F11 Foto Museum