UOWCHK Art Collection : A Sense of Place

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Derrick Jason Stone - A Sense of Place

As a lecturer and curator at UOW College Hong Kong (UOWCHK), Derrick Jason Stone has led the development of A Sense of Place, a major cross-cultural art collection bringing together artists from Hong Kong and Australia. The project explores how people form emotional connections to their environments and how “place” shapes identity, memory, and belonging. As Derrick explains, “Our collection, A Sense of Place, is about bridging gaps between cultures, between places, and between people.”

Developed in alignment with UOW’s long-standing commitment to art on campus, the collection strengthens creative and educational links between UOW Australia and UOW College Hong Kong while establishing a cohesive and inspiring curatorial presence for the new campus. More than a traditional exhibition, Derrick describes the initiative as “not just a gallery; it’s a living archive of stories and ideas.”

The collection features works by Aboriginal artists from Australia, contemporary artists from the Illawarra region, and a curated selection of Hong Kong artists. Each artwork is supported by interviews, commentary, and visual media hosted on the UOWCHK art collection website, providing students and staff with deeper insight into artists’ practices, philosophies, and cultural contexts. According to Derrick, “This project created a space where Hong Kong and Australian artists could share their voices side by side, and where students can engage with art in a way that is interactive, educational, and inspiring.”

Derrick’s leadership of A Sense of Place was formally recognised in his citation for the 2025 UOWCHK Staff Awards for Innovation. The citation highlights his creative contributions to teaching and learning, his leadership of the BCM programme while pursuing PhD studies, and his initiation and development of a major expansion of the College’s art collection. It also acknowledges his creation of more than 500 audio-visual learning resources in just 18 months, hosted on a dedicated educational website to support student engagement and independent learning.

Together, A Sense of Place transforms the campus into a dynamic learning environment where art, place, and community intersect, reinforcing the role of art as both a cultural connector and an educational resource.

The UOW College Hong Kong’s permanent art collection is entitled “A Sense of Place.”

The term Sense of Place refers to the emotive bonds and attachments people develop or experience in particular locations and environments, at scales ranging from the home to the nation.  Sense of place is also used to describe the distinctiveness or unique character of a particular locality – in this case, both Hong Kong and Australia.

There are three main parts to the collection:

1. Aboriginal artists from Australia
2. Contemporary artists from the Illawarra region in SE Australia – the area around UOW
3. Contemporary HK artists

 

To view the entire collection - visit https://www.uowchk.edu.hk/about-us/campus-art-collection--a-sense-of-place/