This week in PostMag: from Milan's Chinatown to nomads in Malaysian Borneo

South China Morning Post

24-05-2025

My best ideas always come when I'm in motion. For years, that movement came through cycling through Shanghai's tree-lined streets, legs pumping until I arrived either at some kind of breakthrough or my destination, whichever came first. Now, my most productive brainstorming is relegated to the interminably long walks underground on either end of my commute. (Getting out for a proper Hong Kong hike is on my list, promise.)
But like many things, it turns out that my experience is, in fact, far more universal than I'd imagined. Perhaps there's studies about the link between moving and ideas – is it increased blood circulation? The cacophony of the outside world forming white noise to cocoon us in our own thoughts? Whatever the reason, movement as the cure to a creative block is a frequent refrain among the artists we interview.
Hong Kong photographer South Ho Siu-nam is one of them, discovers Aaina Bhargava in our cover story this issue, as he describes walks around Sha Tin as his remedy to get unstuck. There's a poetic quality to his art – considered black-and-white cityscapes overlaid with coloured grids he describes as a meditative process that's connected to memories of his late father. Ho currently has a solo show on view at Blindspot Gallery in Wong Chuk Hang, and you have until June 7 to catch it.
Reflection and introspection is also a journey that Esslin Terrighena finds herself on, albeit farther afield in Malaysian Borneo. She writes about what she learns from her time spent with the Penan, a once-nomadic hunter-gatherer community. As the world around them has modernised, they've adapted while maintaining a connection to the forest and land – offering lessons all us city dwellers could take on board.
Changing communities are inevitable wherever you are in the world. John Brunton explores Milan's evolving Chinatown, a neighbourhood rich with history that's developed its own Chinese-Italian identity. And what's more? There's a Hong Kong connection, too. It's home to Trippa Milano, the sister restaurant of Central's own Testina.
I hate to leave you on a grim note, but I fear I must. The final remaining feature in this issue centres on Christopher Munn's new book Penalties of Empire. Fionnuala McHugh dives into Hong Kong's history of capital trials, which, thankfully, came to an end in 1966. It may not be a light read, but it's a fascinating one.