The Civil Service Newsletter Editorial Board
Mr Ho graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Hong Kong. In 1998, he joined the Government as an engineer in the then Civil Engineering Department. Mr Ho said with a chuckle that he was different from an engineer in the general sense as he was most of the time occupied with provision of contractual advice and research works during his 26 years of public service, assuming an important gatekeeping role in the team.
While working at the Contract Advisory Unit of the department for 14 years, Mr Ho was specifically responsible for vetting the works tender documents of the department and offering professional advice on contract-related issues to colleagues. “As I became particularly interested in law, I pursued part-time studies through distance learning and attained a law degree in early years, which was of great help to the duties I performed as a contract advisor”. He likened the pivotal role played by a contract advisor in the department to that of a “doctor”, as he had to go through various provisions of the tender documents carefully in great detail, identify potential risks or deficiencies and provide professional advice on the solution to rectify such “defects”. Throughout his career, he had been tasked with the audits of the tender documents of the site formation works of the Hong Kong Disneyland and many major infrastructure projects. Upon completion of the works, he also provided professional advice on resolving the claims made and disputes raised by contractors.
Over the years, Mr Ho remained dedicated to his duties and went to great lengths to scrutinise piles of works contracts day after day. However, he did not find it tedious at all, rather it had been a very gratifying experience to him. “Conducting audits on tender documents for the works contracts is in a way like setting up a protection barrier at the early stage of the projects, which can reduce major loss to the Government due to inadvertent mistakes or inconsistencies in the tender documents.”
Mr Ho was subsequently transferred to the Research and Development Division of the Highways Department. Roadbot 2, an intelligent robotic system with full cognitive abilities to understand its surroundings for placing and collecting traffic cones and warning lanterns on high speed roads, was completed by his research team in collaboration with the Hong Kong Productivity Council in 2020, and awarded the Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2022. Mr Ho, though not trained in the field of science and technology, was willing to embrace challenges. He actively participated in research and development, hoping to enhance occupational safety in the sector with the launch of the automatic system. “Workers are more prone to traffic accidents when implementing temporary traffic arrangements on high speed roads, particularly during late hours. The robotic system successfully installed on road maintenance vehicles helps significantly lower the risk exposed to these workers. I am very honoured to have the opportunity to take part in this research project.”
Mr Ho quipped that his development as an artist has been somewhat held up by his engineering career. Since 2011, he has been making miniature models in his spare time. His first miniature artwork, an old-fashioned toy shop in Hong Kong in the 1970s, was jointly created with his friend. Over 200 toys on a mind-bendingly small scale are displayed, each of which carrying his childhood memories. “I’ve long been an avid collector of different kinds of toys and miniature models, in particular local artefacts. I really hope that my art creations can serve as a means to preserve the precious collective memories of our city.”
His artworks cover diverse themes, ranging from newspaper stand, bamboo shed theatre, to stalls selling handmade pinwheels in Wong Tai Sin, all of which are vivid scenes with Hong Kong characteristics, and full embodiment of his creativity and love for the city. The model of the stall selling pinwheels in Wong Tai Sin is one of his favourites. “As a child growing up in Wong Tai Sin, I was always captivated at the striking sight of an array of colourful pinwheels whenever I walked past the stalls outside the Wong Tai Sin Temple after school.” To relive the fond memories of his childhood, he spent tremendous efforts in handcrafting each mini pinwheel, and the features of the stall including fortune-telling sticks, incense sticks and fruits were all recast in great detail, bringing the entire scene to life.
With his professional background in engineering, Mr Ho places particular emphasis on scale and proportion in model making. He pays scrupulous attention to every detail, in a bid to replicate the dynamic scene of everyday life in the neighbourhood. An example is his model of the Blue House in Wan Chai, through which he demonstrates his superlative skills in reproducing the traditional T-shaped plates bearing the street name “King Sing Street” at a corner and the scene of residents drying clothes on balconies. Every part is amazingly delicate and true to life.
“Modern technologies like 3D printing can assist us in making miniature figures and building structures. That said, we often make use of daily necessities around us and modify them into tiny parts for the scenes. If traditional craftsmanship is involved, I would seek professional advice from masters in relevant fields, hoping to present Hong Kong culture and customs as authentic as possible.” For example, before working on the design of the bamboo shed theatre and the phoenix coronet, he not only consulted local masters, but also made a real phoenix coronet to master the essence of the techniques.
“Now, my art pieces are not confined to nostalgic scenes, and the most iconic attractions of our cosmopolitan city are the highlights of my creation as well. I hope to tell Hong Kong’s good stories to the public and visitors through these miniature models.” Apart from local exhibitions, his works also found a place at the exhibitions in the Mainland, Japan, Singapore and Australia organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Economic and Trade Offices. “A lot of Hong Kong people living in these places would come and see my works on display, saying to me that these miniature models are so reminiscent of their past. At the exhibition hall, I like to hang around and mingle with the visitors to listen to their comments as their positive feedback always motivates me to go further in art creation.”
“To me, another wonderful phase in life starts at the age of 60.” After retirement in 2024, Mr Ho has spent one third of his time making miniature models, which has been an intriguing experience in his new phase of life. He has participated in four exhibitions in just less than a year since retirement, and new invitations keep coming in. “I’m eager to take on new challenges. With so many distinctive attractions in Hong Kong, I’ll keep up my effort to present a wider diversity of scenes through miniature art.”
Drawing is another goal that Mr Ho wants to pursue after retirement. “I could not afford to learn drawing when I was young due to poor family conditions. No sooner had I retired than I enrolled for a sketching course. How cool and chill it is sketching here and there simply with a sketchbook and a pencil!”
Personal aspirations aside, Mr Ho also plans to serve the community through voluntary work. He enrolled for the Hong Kong Volunteer Programme of the 15th National Games with his secondary school classmates to show support for the mega event. Meanwhile, he is discussing with his alma mater a proposal to provide students in the secondary school with opportunities to experience miniature model making so as to broaden their horizons. “As I grew up in a grassroots family, I’m well aware of the importance of resources and really hope to share my experience with the younger generation to help them thrive.”
Mr Ho said with a smile that he had come up with plenty of plans and ideas, and he also looked forward to gatherings with his family and friends, and travelling around the world. “With the increasing average life expectancy, we should keep ourselves in shape. Otherwise, all our plans are just empty talks. To stay fit and healthy, I’ll spend more time hiking and swimming.”
He advised retiring civil service colleagues to maintain mental and physical health, and make early planning for retirement. “It’s good for them to develop new hobbies while in service and set new goals for post-retirement life, and in this way they can enjoy a rewarding life by the time they retire.”
Mr Ho succeeds in finding a balance between engineering and art in his life. With his exceptional craftsmanship, he has created a meaningful retirement life, and at the same time preserved incredibly precious memories of Hong Kong’s history. Optimistic and proactive, Mr Ho continues to pursue his dreams and tell inspiring stories in his new journey.
