Ms Mary Ann King
gumgum@gmail.com
Creative Activist, Hongkonger

Better known as “gumgum”, I start writing songs for Hong Kong’s social movements since 1989, after I earned my Fine Arts degree (in Communication Arts) from New York. I have been working as radio producer, stage composer, art administrator, editor, photographer, and women’s NGO worker. In 2001, I goofed off to school after walking with the subaltern people for more than a decade and got my Master in Philosophy in gender studies (Buddhism). After SARS and the July First Rally in 2003, I witness the rise of Hong Kong’s civil society and decided to do something different, I ran and got elected as a District Councilor, and use my creativity in dealing with district cultural matters. I never stop my sing-a-song writer “career” in the movements.

Synopsis

My everyday life is about dealing with all kinds of district issues, from Pet Park to urban renewal, which need to be addressed and tackled with new ideas and negotiation skill. Indifference, utilitarianism and arrogance are the biggest obstacles to community/social transformation, regardless government, NGO or councillors. But it is sad to find that this is a common phenomenon in Hong Kong. Creativity, vision and problem solving power must be "heart based" – with passion and compassion to be effective, and to meet with compassionate people is my main goal at WCS.

金佩瑋

社運唱作人，香港人，江湖人稱「甘甘」。
開始為香港社會運動創作歌曲，是1989年。不久之前，我剛從紐約畢業回來，唸傳播學，卻拿了一個藝術學士。之後，我做過電台編導、舞台音樂創作、藝術行政、女性雜誌編輯、攝影師，以及婦女機構工作者。2001年，我暫別了與弱勢者同行的生涯，回到校園，重新思考自己的生命。2003年，完成性別研究碩士論文《女身成佛》的過程中，我與香港人一起經歷了沙士風波和七一大遊行，見證著香港公民社會的崛起，並因此決定參選並獲選成為一位區議員。此後，我運用了大量的創意以及文化手段為地區工作解難，但從沒有中斷以歌曲推動社會的職業。

簡介

我每天面對的工作，都是一些相互交纏的難題。從小狗糞便到官民糾紛，到公共空間的管理，以至古蹟保育、市區更新和城市發展，無一不需要挖空心思，運用創意和協商的技巧去處理。事實上，無論是對政府、議員還是社運人而言，冷漠、因循和傲慢是有效施政和推動社會更新的最大障礙，但這卻正是香港社會的通病。此外，創意、視野和靈活的解難技巧，是需要以「心」─ 熱忱與慈憐作為基礎。我參加今次論壇，是希望透過經驗分享，結識一些「有心人」。