Photos by Joel Chung Yin-chai, curator and friend of the “King of Kowloon.”

The late “King of Kowloon” Tsang Tsou-choi left many of his ink calligraphy works across Hong Kong, but most were gradually painted over by the government following his death in 2007.
King of Kowloon
Tsang had been writing Chinese characters in public for half a century. He claimed that Kowloon belonged to his ancestors, after studying the records of his clan from his mainland hometown. Following that, he began to make his land claims and named family members in his distinctive graffiti across the city.
King of Kowloon
This week, another piece on an electricity box in Kwun Tong was destroyed because of a “mistake” by a government contractor.
King of Kowloon
Currently, only three intact public works of his street art are now known to exist.
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon
King of Kowloon

Kris Cheng is a Hong Kong journalist with an interest in local politics. His work has been featured in Washington Post, Public Radio International, Hong Kong Economic Times and others. He has a BSSc in Sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Kris is HKFP's Editorial Director.