WKM Gallery is thrilled to present The Hatarakimono Project: Satellite Hong Kong by artist duo K-NARF & SHOKO.  First launched in 2016 in Japan, the project documents hardworking locals, or hatarakimono. Now in the project's second phase, the duo plans to extend its scope to over twenty countries. Their photography series is becoming an extraordinary visual archive for the future – a record of human work at a time when technology is changing the way we live.

The Hatarakimono Project, featuring hundreds of portraits of Japanese workers, is currently archived until 2042 and will be exhibited at five international museums chosen by the artists. This unprecedented photographic project took about two years as every portrait had to be done directly on the spot with a portable photography background and then manually processed as tape-o-graphs, a Neo-analogue photographic technique invented by K-NARF more than fifteen years ago. This unique method of capturing moments, directly associated with the bricolage art movement, reveals a staunch acceptance of reality in human history and evolution while paying respect to those hardworking people whose individual daily routines indeed become part of history in the making.

* 'HATARAKIMONO', はたらきもの / 働き者 is a special Japanese word that positively describes with respect someone who is considered a hard worker. A person who enjoys doing their job, whatever it is, without pretension.

WKM Gallery

WKM Gallery, founded by William Kayne Mukai, is a dynamic and innovative art space in Hong Kong. With a unique background encompassing French and Japanese roots, William is dedicated to bridging cultures and championing talented artists from around the world. The gallery offers a platform for both emerging and established artists, fostering creativity and cultural exchange. WKM Gallery curates exceptional exhibitions that transcend boundaries, inspire creativity, and enrich the global art community.

French and Japanese artist duo, K-NARF & SHOKO, play with photography to transform the ordinary of life into extraordinary photographic projects. All their projects are made in-house with a Neo-analogue approach directly affiliated with the bricolage art movement, including a singular photographic development process invented by K-NARF, tape-o-graphy. K-NARGF & SHOKO met in 2014 and quickly began working together.

Although deliberately remaining outside of the contemporary art world, they have gained international recognition for their projects as well as their unconventional approach to photography, including the support of Yves Klein Foundation for more than twenty years.

Website wkm.gallery / knarfart.com

Instagram wkmgallery / hatarakimoto_project / frank_aka_knarf / shokolate

Email [email protected]