My Idol, David Sheekwan

I met David Sheekwan in the early 80’s during The Golden Era when creativities were blossoming in all areas.  Design was not always considered art until that time.

 

In Hong Kong, fashion was becoming more an artform then clothing. Not only were fashion designs celebrated, they were collected by the elites. Among those famous fashion designers, there was the name David sheekwan.

 

To me David was and has always been an artist. Having studied fine arts in LA, David was asked to work in Paris in the late 60’s. Designing fabrics with his visions of colour and space, his work was praised by the Parisians. Soon the fashion world discovered him and led him to work in New York in the early 70’s. David was fascinated by fashion and all forms of art. In the mid 70’s David started his own design company D&D Hong Kong where many young designers were inspired.

 

With his own brand, David sheekwan has translated his work into fashion.  The city was caught by surprise. His palettes, textures and cutting casting silhouettes against the curtain of the global stage. Who is David sheekwan? Celebrities of the town flooded his boutique in the day and gathered at his café at night, to grasp a chance of a glimpse of the trendiest artist. This café, D&D coffee shop, was one of the coolest places to hang out, and to be seen hanging out.

 

I never understand why David wanted a coffee shop. He never really answered my question. It hits me when I gradually look more into his photography and paintings. Many shades of grey. Very minimal, monochromatic. I remember the first time meeting him. In 1984, sitting at D&D was a man in Armani suit, obscured into the dim atmosphere in the corner. There appears an artist and a gentleman. With soft voice, such memory is still inspiring me, ‘be your own self’.

 

Today, design is seen as science, art is viewed as investment while fashion is even regarded as clothing. Some say, crossover is a trend. Nothing is the way it used to be. DNA could be engineered. The internet transformed the world. The world will soon be run by AI? Perhaps, I believe in values. Not limited by those boring price tags but true values. Not something granted from commercial points of view. I like a piece of art without any objective values. I just like him and the worlds in the paintings, his worldview, maybe he is an artwork.

 

The David I know is definitely an introvert. A true gentleman who never shout nor sworn. Very generous and courteous. 84 years old, still, he keeps on painting. His works are abstract Chinese ink paintings. He never sees himself a modern artist, never thinks art should be commercially invested. That’s why he loves art.

 

After 1984, I left Hong Kong to study fashion design in London. Our friendship rejoins in 2014 through a close common friend. He remains to be the gentlemen and artist I first met, still the same over 30 years, who stays true to his sense of style and who demonstrates how enjoyable minimalism could be through his series of abstract art.  

 

How glad it was to reunite with my idol after those thirty long years! David Sheekwan would forever be a legendary artist!