Do you remember Sergeant Chung Kin-san? You may recall an article about him in OffBeat Issue 699 following the successful exhibitions of his paintings at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and overseas.

Seven of his watercolour paintings were selected to create a large eye-catching banner which currently adorns the regional headquarters multi-purpose hall.

"The banner was originally created for the Hong Kong Awards for Young People (HKAYP) presentation ceremony held on August 5, last year. Following the ceremony, the management decided it should be hung in the multi-purpose hall as a decorative backdrop," explained SGT Chung.

"When NTN Superintendent Administration Daniel Lawley approached me regarding the production of a giant banner for the HKAYP ceremony, he told me that he would like to select some of my paintings highlighting the unique aspects of our Region.

"These seven works, although completed at different times, have one thing in common. They all feature traditional Chinese architecture such as the walled villages and ancestral halls and some older western-style buildings located in Fanling, Tai Po and Sha Tau Kok," explained SGT Chung.

Duplicates of these seven paintings were also mounted in the conference room, while the original of one of them was hung on the wall along the corridor on the fourth floor.

"It was such an honour for me to have my paintings displayed at my workplace. Being an artist, I always want to convey my thoughts and feelings through my paintings. I would like to thank SP Lawley for giving me this opportunity. It is a wonderful recognition of my artistic endeavours," said SGT Chung.

Returning from an international exhibition in Barcelona where he made friends with a lot of international artists, SGT Chung is going to participate in the Watercolours and Drawings Fair in London later this month. SGT Chung hopes his artistic interests will serve as an inspiration for his colleagues in pursuing this relaxing hobby.

"Police work is very demanding and sometimes stressful. Every Force member must find his own way of relaxing in his spare time, and I personally have found that painting provides me with the outlet I need to cope with the stresses and challenges we all encounter in the Force," said SGT Chung.

"Painting is an activity which helps people calm down and relax. Picking up a paintbrush to create your own pictures or simply learning to appreciate the talent and inspiration of others' works can achieve the same result.

As a beginner, you may do simple sketches with just a pencil and a sketchbook. Once you have built up your confidence you will start to develop an appreciation of this very positive pursuit," said SGT Chung.