Houses 12 art collectives producing work that ranges from the boldly experimental to the plain odd.
The Ex-Ma Tau Kok Animal Quarantine Depot (now popularly known as the Cattle Depot) is the only surviving pre-war cattle slaughterhouse in Hong Kong. It was constructed in 1908 and served as a slaughterhouse and quarantine base until mid-1999.
Renovation and conversion works took place in 2001 to convert the depot into an Arts Village for local artists relocated from the Oil Street Arts Village in North Point. There are existing 20 tenants in Cattle Depot, who are either individual artists or artistic organizations. The depot was confirmed a Grade II historic building¹ by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2009.
There are a total of 20 units for rental purposes. Now there are 5 artist groups and 9 independent artist units working in the village. Tenants can do their artwork and stay in the village as their offices. They can have rehearsals, and performances open to the public.
Perfect for Instagram shots :)
Cattle Depot Artist Village holds different functions related to art. The village arouses people's interest in knowing the artistic development in Hong Kong. There is also a discussion on what should be done by the Hong Kong government to preserve cultures in art.
Unit 10 is the home of the Frog King (real name Kwok Mang-ho). It’s where his studio is, but the septuagenarian only pops by once a week. He’s obsessed with the flotsam of local life: outside are pot plants, an oversized shell, glass baubles and a lifesize ceramic sci-fi monster.
The only sign that it houses fringe artists is a shabby collection of cartoons, graffiti and photos propped against the wall. Walk inside one of these Grade II-listed buildings, and it’s a different story.
The heritage of the slaughterhouse has not been lost. There are shackles on the floors of the studios, green frames on the windows and the beams are all original. Plus, everything is at ground level – not typical for anything, let alone art, in Hong Kong. It’s easy for anybody wandering around To Kwa Wan to wander in.
You can check out my entire vlog here:
Cattle Depot won’t ever be PMQ, with a fancy acronym and slick design shops selling framed illustrations of Victoria Harbour. It’s a simple artist village (‘a sincere Hong Kong neighborhood’). And it should be better known.
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