Hong Kong marks 85th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s arrival with statue and exhibition
Life-size bronze statue unveiled at former site of Lee family home on Nathan Road, alongside exhibition of rare photos and posters
An entertainment company and an arts curator have unveiled a life-size statue of late kung fu legend Bruce Lee at his childhood home in Hong Kong to mark the 85th anniversary of his arrival in the city.
Organisers hmvod and curator Heiman Ng said the statue, unveiled on Monday, had been permanently installed at the Prudential Centre on Nathan Road in Jordan. The building is on the site of a now-demolished residential building where the Lee family lived after returning to Hong Kong in 1941 not long after he was born. lower case spelling is correct
An exhibition titled “Bruce Lee: Homecoming – 85th Anniversary Exhibition” will run until the end of May, showcasing a collection of previously unseen photographs and rare posters.
The event will coincide with mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday that runs from May 1 to 5.
“Apart from the statue on the Avenue of Stars, we have installed this sculpture at his childhood doorstep to reflect his more philosophical ‘be like water’ side,” Ng said. “This is a timely reminder for us to stay calm in the turbulent time of Hong Kong.”
The bronze statue depicts a shirtless Lee with his hands folded in front of his chest, themed around his signature saying: “be like water”.
The phrase originates from a scene in the 1971 television series Longstreet, which highlights the adaptability and fluid nature of water in overcoming life’s obstacles.