PMQ Central｜PMQ Presents “FEEL FREE, FEEL 3” Picture Book Exhibition Unleashing Boundless Imagination Through “Silent”

Description

The PMQ Picture Book Exhibition will make its grand return from 25 April to 18 May! As a creative landmark in Hong Kong, PMQ has consistently fostered an appreciation for creative aesthetics through a variety of exhibitions and events. Building on the success of previous picture book exhibitions, each thoughtfully curated around compelling themes that deeply engaged audiences. This year’s exhibition, “FEEL FREE, FEEL 3” will present over 60 silent picture books carefully selected from Europe, America, Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong. Through creatively varied formats in size, shape, and interactive reading approaches, the exhibition offers a thoughtfully designed space that invites visitors to explore the limitless possibilities of silent storytelling through playful and imaginative experiences.

The Infinite Stories within Slient Picture Books

Silent picture books carry infinite possibilities, offering a fully illustrated format that invites readers of all ages and backgrounds to find joy in their pages. Unrestricted by text, silent picture books use colour, lines, shapes, composition, and the interplay of pages to guide readers on a journey of discovery, where every detail invites closer attention. The purely visual nature of these books allows for deep immersion, with imagination and personal interpretation unfolding naturally with each turn of the page. Every page reflects a unique perspective shaped by individual experiences, values, and emotions. Revisiting the same picture book at different stages of life can reveal entirely new layers of meaning, offering a timeless and transformative experience.

A Playful Reading Experience : Exploring Picture Books in New Ways

The exhibition’s selection of books has been meticulously curated, with the design of the space given equally thoughtful. PMQ has collaborated with MIDWAY Studio to create an immersive environment that will bring the world of silent picture books to life. Visitors will discover innovative and playful installations designed to ignite the imagination. Suspended overhead, the pull-out pages of Hoch Hinaus will showcase the stories of residents living within a towering skyscraper. Magnifying glass installations will reveal hidden treasures within unconventional books like Egg and Cat, while the pop-up book Bloom will unfold like a blooming flower, reflecting its intricate details in mirrors to create dazzling transformations. These carefully crafted installations will offer visitors an engaging and interactive way to experience the art of wordless storytelling.

By combining creativity, design, and imagination, PMQ’s “FEEL FREE, FEEL 3” exhibition invites visitors to step into a world where the absence of words opens the door to infinite interpretations and boundless creativity.

Selected Books from the “FEEL FREE, FEEL 3” Picture Book Exhibition

My City; Joanne Liu

Through the eyes of a young boy namedMax, this book invites readers to appreciate the often-overlooked urban landscapes.It encourages reflection amidst the busyness of life, uncovering the beautiful moments that enrich our daily experiences.

Home; Jeannie Baker

Starting from the perspective of a family's window, this book showcases the changing views outside, allowing readers to feel the passage of time and the transformations of their environment. It addresses profound themes such as coexistence with nature, community cohesion, and the power of hope.

Another; Christian Robinson

This picture book tells the story of a girl and her cat who discover a magical door in their room on a dark night. This door leads them on an imaginative journey into another world and self-exploration. The vibrant geometric illustrations paired with ample white space encourage readers to engage their own imagination.

Tuesday; David Wiesner 

Renowned for its detailed watercolor illustrations and imaginative storytelling, this book narrates a remarkable adventure experienced by frogs on a Tuesday night. Their escapades attract the attention of other animals and humans, prompting readers to explore the boundaries between dreams and reality while observing the small joys hidden in everyday life.

E poi; Icinori

An artistically rich picture book that presents a series of poetic illustrations, each page serves as a visual fable, inviting readers into a metaphorical world. It encourages exploration of existence, the cycle of life, and the relationship between humanity and nature.

Egg and Cat; 관찰자 · 유연성클럽

This delightful picture book from Korea features a mini book hidden inside an eggshell, with simple lines depicting the charming interactions between a cat and an egg. Each illustration invites readers to interpret and imagine different stories.

plunge; Chisato Tamabayashi

Opening this book feels like diving into the deep sea! Readers encounter various marine creatures along the way, with the unique page designs allowing for tilting and flipping, providing multiple perspectives to explore the ocean and its diverse life forms.

Bloom; Julie Safirstein

This dimensional picture book features circular and fold-out designs, with pages that unfold like flower petals. As readers open and layer the pages, they step into a dreamy, poetic garden.

Hoch Hinaus; Tom Schamp

This lift-the-flap book reveals a whimsical high-rise filled with intriguing stories! On the first floor lives a speed-loving lion, while the second floor features a sailor, and mermaids bathing above them. As readers turn each page and explore each floor, they will weave together their own unique narrative.

Codex        Seraphinianus;        Luigi Serafini

Regarded as one of the "most peculiar books of the 20th century," this work has captivated numerous literary greats. It is a mysterious visual anthology that transports readers into a realm of imagination through its self-constructed text and fantastical illustrations. Featuring unusual flora and fauna, surreal landscapes, and inexplicable phenomena, the richly detailed artwork invites readers to linger in a magical world of their own imagination.

Local Picture Book Authors’ Recommended Picks

The curatorial team invited local picture book authors to recommend their favourite silent picture books in response to the theme.

Anno's journey

“Suekichi Akaba's ‘Anno's journey’ was a gateway that opened me up to creating picture books. His work defied my impression of picture book storytelling, showing me another possibility for visual narrative. 'Travels' is a silent picture book that invites readers to follow a protagonist exploring an unknown land - from the seaside to the forest, countryside, town, and big city, and back again. Along the journey, readers experience various slices of everyday life, from birth and growth to play, celebration, work, marriage, and burial, allowing them to vicariously live through life's joys and sorrows. Without any text, readers naturally project their own living habits into the imagery, creating their own versions of the story, making this book timeless and allowing readers of all ages to find their own voices and worlds within." - Kinchoi Lam (Artist & Picture Book Author)

Flotsam

"I really enjoyed the sense of mystery in 'Flotsam'. Each page has new discoveries, making me feel that the world is truly wondrous." - Joanne Liu (Illustrator & Picture Book Author)

MVSEVM

"There can be many reasons to enjoy silent picture books, perhaps because of the openness of the imagery, or simply the experience of reading without textual narration, which feels like a form of quiet contemplation. And of course, picture books that rely solely on visuals to tell a story often better highlight the nuances of the visual language. ‘MVSEVM’ by Javier Saez Castan (text) and Manuel Marsol (illustrations) is such an exemplary work. Turning the pages without words is like appreciating a series of surrealist paintings, compelling the reader to imagine their own surreal narratives." - Benny Lau (Senior Designer & Picture Book Author)

The Changing Countryside

"I often use ‘The Changing Countryside’ for picture book 101 sharing, animal, or architecture-related workshops. It has been in my studio for a long time, and I didn't even notice the white cat acting as the protagonist until different readers pointed it out. Apart from observing the changes in each scene, every reading reveals new discoveries. There's a sense of timelessness, depicting 1950s to 1970s Switzerland, but it still resonates profoundly with today's world, inviting endless contemplation and reflection." - Maoshan Connie (Picture Book & Map Creator)

Silent Picture Book Workshops: Experience the Joy of Shared Reading

The World of Picture Books : A Sharing Session on Poetry and Visuals

The world of picture books is vast and vibrant. The creation of a picture book often begins with a small spark of inspiration, evolving through careful conception, artistic development, and meticulous refinement to build a rich narrative world. How do words and illustrations intertwine? How do images convey emotion and rhythm?

Creation is just part of the journey. A picture book, from its conception to publication, involves multiple collaborations between authors and editors, along with layout design, printing technology, and book distribution. Each stage influences how the work connects with readers.

“The World of Picture Books: A Sharing Session on Poetry and Visual" will invite picture book authors, editors, and wordsmiths to share their stories and observations from the creation and publication process. Let us step into the world of picture books and explore the infinite possibilities woven from the interplay of poetry and imagery.

Date：2 May (Friday) 
Time：7:30pm - 9:00pm 
Venue：PMQ Qube
Speakers：
Kinchoi Lam (Artist & Picture Book Author) Wong Nga Man (Founder of Cotton Tree Publishing Ltd.)
Joanne Liu (Picture Book Author & Illustrator )
Chio Hio Tong（Writer）
Language: Cantonese Quota : 40 pax
Fee : Free entry 
Registration：Click Here

Observation Journey : Sketching and Story-Relay Workshop

Sketching is a journey of seeing and feeling.

Amid the rhythm of the city, Central and Sheung Wan’s streets and alleys invite a slower pace—a chance to observe and record the often-overlooked details of urban life. Guided by picture book and map creator Maoshan Connie, this Observation Journey will explore the art of finding beauty in the cracks: the play of light on weathered walls, fragments of passing conversations, and the quiet narratives hidden in street corners.

Participants may capture fleeting birds perched on branches, trace the arc of afternoon sunlight through a window, or immortalise the echo of children’s laughter from a narrow lane—each sketch a unique interpretation of the city’s layers.

Beyond drawing, the workshop will incorporate a collaborative story relay, weaving imagination into shared canvases. It’s a celebration of creativity and connection that no digital experience can replicate.

Date：4 May (Sunday) 
Time：10am - 1:00pm 
Venue：PMQ S712
Host：Maoshan Connie (Picture Book & Map Creator)
Language: Cantonese Quota : 12
Fee : HK$200 per person 
Registration：Click Here
*This workshop is designed for ages 15+

"Rhythm of Colors" – A Nighttime Reading of That Camping Night – Evening Book Club
 
Reading a picture book is never simply about turning pages. From cover design to artistic details, paper texture to color palette—every choice is the creator’s silent dialogue with the reader. Italian illustrator Andrea Antinori’s That Camping Night transforms a mountain camping story into a tale where the ordinary meets the magical, and humor intertwines with profound meaning.

Through its unique composition and chromatic language, the book invites readers on a nocturnal adventure. We are honored to have designer and founder of FLIP & ROLL, Keith Chun guide participants in rediscovering That Camping Night through the lenses of graphic design, illustration techniques, and color psychology—unlocking its hidden creative vocabulary.

Date：9 May (Friday) 
Time：7:00pm - 8:00pm 
Venue : PMQ S710 - 711
Speaker：Keith Chun (Founder of FLIP & ROLL, Designer）
Language: Cantonese Quota : 20 pax
Fee : Free entry 
Registration：Click Here
*This workshop is designed for ages 15+

Learning from the Master: Bruno Munari : Munari Method Picture Book Creation Workshop

Picture books are more than just vessels for linear storytelling—they should never be confined by didactic content. The legendary Italian artist and designer Bruno Munari, one of the 20th century’s most influential creative pioneers, firmly believed that imagination can be tangibly realized.

Munari never imposed rules on children. Instead, he offered inspiration and clues, encouraging them to actively explore thepossibilities of creation. He began crafting picture books precisely because he couldn’t find suitable books for his own son. In his works, he "plays" games with readers, ingeniously leveraging the book’s structure and materials—folds, collages, mixed textures, and varying paper sizes and page layouts—transforming reading into a delightful creative adventure full of surprises.

For this workshop, we’ve invited acclaimed designer and picture book author Benny Lau to guide participants in practicing the iconic Munari Method. Through playful experimentation and hands-on creation, attendees will craft their own picture books, reawakening their innate imagination and creativity.

Date：11 May (Sunday) 
Time：2:30pm - 5:00pm
Venue : 5/F Taste Library, PMQ
Host：Benny Lau（Designer & Picture Book Author）
Language: Cantonese Quota : 12 pax
Fee : HK$250 per person
Registration：Click Here
*This workshop is designed for ages 15+

Between Lines and Sounds : Drawing x Jazz Improvisation Performance

As the grand finale of the picture book exhibition, "Between Lines and Sounds: Drawing x Jazz Improvisation Performance" will bring together the creativity of drawing and jazz into an improvised dialogue. Three picture book authors will let colors and brush strokes drive the rhythm while jazz musicians perform spontaneously, allowing sound to respond to visuals.

This improvisational experiment intertwines brushes and notes, expanding the imaginative boundaries of the participants. Each stroke and every note will guide the audience into a world of pure sensation.

Date：18 May (Sunday) 
Time：5:00pm - 6:00pm 
Venue : PMQ S710 - 711
Performers：
Ah Li（Illustrator & Picture Book Author） Shana Cheung（Picture Book Author & Kid Art Tutor)
Brian Cheung (Jazz Saxophonists) Joanne Liu (Picture Book Author & Illustrator )
Nelson Fung (Double Bass Player)
Language: Cantonese Quota : 40 pax
Fee : Free entry 
Registration：Click Here