Ko Nam is ADAM’s Resident Artist. Born in Chengdu, China, he lost his hearing due to a childhood illness. He studied under renowned painters including Cen Xue Gong, Luo Ci Bing and Mou Kang Hua, and has developed a passion for sketching and painting scenery. Ko Nam's experience with hearing loss is reflected through his painting style, which often lends a calm and serene feel to his artwork, and his style is often characterised as free and easy, passionate and optimistic. His works have been exhibited at major arts events at home and abroad, and are well-sought after by private art collectors globally.
Ko Nam has received wide acclaim for his work in the art community. In 1993, he was awarded third prize at the “Art Exhibition of Sichuan Province” and the “Art Exhibition for the International Panda Festival in Chengdu”. In 2004, he won first prize in “Art Exhibition of Artists in China and Korea” in Korea. Ko was also a Gold Medalist in the “The 2011 8th International Abilympics (Seoul)” painting competition.
In 1982, his work “Painting of the Three Gorges” was exhibited at the “National Handicapped Person Art Exhibition”, as well as the “Art Exhibition for the International Handicapped Person” in Spain and Yugoslavia. After moving to Hong Kong in 1994, he held solo exhibitions in the city in 1995, 2000 and 2008. From 2004, his works have also been featured in various exhibitions, including the following:
- Henderson ArtReach Project
- All Touch in Art, by Henderson Land Development
- Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition for PRC National Day
- Four Places, One Heart Deaf Visual Arts Exhibition
- 1st International Festival of Inclusive Arts.
In 2003 and 2007, he represented Hong Kong in the International Abilympics hosted by India and Japan respectively. In 2008 - 09, he also participated in the arts community project Dancing Sketch where he created large paintings during live dance performance events. In June 2010, Ko Nam was invited to host a painting workshop and exhibit two of his artworks at the International VSA Festival in Washington D.C. More recently, he illustrated for one of Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's publications, with his drawings depicting the stunning natural beauty of Hong Kong's countryside and National Geopark.
