We can all get something out of making art. It can be particularly helpful for people with special education needs, helping to boost cognition and learning, communication and interaction, and emotional and mental health. Artist Pak Sheung-chuen has been working as a consultant with social workers and SEN students on a three-year project encouraging them to express themselves through art. Last month, some of the works resulting from that project were on show at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

In today’s Arts Diary: two parallel exhibitions at Tai Kwun, “emo gym” and “Double Vision”, both of which focus on our experience and awareness of reality in delicate times. In “emo gym”, seven Hong Kong artists’ explore the effects of the digitalisation of human experiences and relationships, while “Double Vision” features interpretations by 14 international and local artists of the concepts of déjà vu and parallax.

Music has been part of the Carpio family’s life for generations, and they’ve long been familiar to Hong Kong audiences. Tony Carpio’s family moved here from the Philippines when he was a teenager. His father and uncle were both musicians. Tony himself worked in the jazz genre and with big bands. Other family members such as Teresa and Rita Carpio are known for their contributions to the Cantopop scene. Tony Carpio came to Hong Kong when he was a teenager. His father and uncle were musicians. His dad was not particularly keen on him becoming a musician. He did anyway, fortunately, playing a variety of instruments including the electric and acoustic guitar, piano, bass, tenor banjo and flute. His career has encompassed making music with his big jazz band and smaller ensembles, producing, composing and music education. Chris and Bernard, his sons, are carrying on the family tradition. They are here to tell us about more about their musical heritage.