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M+, Hong Kong. Gift of the Estate and family of Arthur Hacker in his honour, 2019, © HKSAR Government
Arthur Hacker 許敬雅
Information Services Department, The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 香港特別行政區政府新聞處
Poster, 'Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign: Don't Become the Lap Sap Chung' 「清潔香港：切勿淪為垃圾虫」海報
1972
In the early 1970s, the Hong Kong Government Information Services (GIS) launched a civic campaign focused on public cleanliness. The face of the campaign was the cartoon character Lap Sap Chung, created by Arthur Hacker as a green polka-dotted monster representing the consummate litterbug. The campaign included posters and other printed matter, televised programmes, public performances, and youth group activities to emphasise the individual and collective responsibilities of waste disposal. In this poster, Lap Sap Chung is superimposed on a black-and-white photograph of a rubbish pile. A blocky slogan exhorts ‘don’t become a litterbug’. The simple, graphic treatment of text and image underpins the clarity of the message.
Although Lap Sap Chung was intended to be an antagonist in the campaign’s narrative, Hacker’s monster became a beloved symbol of Hong Kong’s broader attempts to bolster civic pride and environmental awareness. Hacker, an author and historian as well as an illustrator and art director, was known for his distinctive curlicue-laden line drawings that document 1970s and 1980s Hong Kong. In addition to his work for the GIS, he published several books highlighting the city’s history and landmarks through his playful illustration style.
Although Lap Sap Chung was intended to be an antagonist in the campaign’s narrative, Hacker’s monster became a beloved symbol of Hong Kong’s broader attempts to bolster civic pride and environmental awareness. Hacker, an author and historian as well as an illustrator and art director, was known for his distinctive curlicue-laden line drawings that document 1970s and 1980s Hong Kong. In addition to his work for the GIS, he published several books highlighting the city’s history and landmarks through his playful illustration style.
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