Doodling Hong Kong - 15th December 2023

A Hong Kong MTR station was covered in 'graffiti spaghetti'. British artist Sam Cox, who's also known as Mr Doodle, filled the space with his dreamlike doodles of amusing characters. They tell the tales of Mr Doodle in Doodleland.

Cox enjoys dressing as Mr Doodle when he draws.

Sam Cox: "And it's just very fun and surreal and kind of eccentric. And that's really the inspiration behind kind of becoming like Mr Doodle, and wearing the Doodle outfit and trying to embody the character as much as possible, really."

Most artists retreat to calm private spaces to create their art and display their finished artwork in galleries. However, Cox prefers to perform his art publicly with audience participation.

At the MTR station, Mr Doodle and 10 kids decorated a spaceship which is going to take him on a space adventure. While some kids tried the graffiti spaghetti technique, others preferred their own style.

It's this creative experience that Cox enjoys.

Sam Cox: "I really, I really enjoyed doing the live performances in front of people because I love to be able to give people an insight into the process of how it is to create one of my pieces. And I love sharing that with people."

Cox's smaller artworks are priced between $13,000 and $500,000. His work's attracted international attention. Hong Kong gallery owner Pearl Lam believes that this is due to the happiness in his work.

Pearl Lam: "I think in this very modern commercial world, you need some relaxation, you need some joy and, joy and happiness. And that's what Mr Doodle give and also is engaging younger generation. So, his work speaks to all different nationalities. And it gives them such joy and some happiness."

Now, with a riot of graffiti spaghetti covering the walls of this MTR station in Hong Kong, it's time for Mr Doodle to return to Doodleland.

Sam Cox: "And then eventually, they reach back to Doodleland and have this kind of battle. So, it's really the journey through space is, is what the exhibition is all about."