Be My Guest | The road less traveled: 'Accidental' artist braves the tides of chronic illnesses and embarks on creative journey

In this latest edition of Be My Guest, we have with us Sophia Hotung, a young promising writer and illustrator.

Growing up in Hong Kong, Hotung's upbringing was a unique and influential factor in her artistic expression. "Being Eurasian is the most evident thing in a lot of my work, I mix local Hong Kong elements with Western elements."

Hotung was once involved in corporate work, but recurring chronic illnesses led her on a new career path that is less traveled but filled with marvelous encounters. Nevertheless, she admits that the experience in offices brought her quite a lot of improvement in her skills, which helped the development of her subsequent career.

For those who are still hesitant about starting a career in art, Hotung says sometimes people are just too self-conscious and overly concerned about what others think, "but no one really is thinking about you as much as you think they are."

In the face of her recurring health conditions, the artist has hung tight on the ride through every crest and trough. Her relapses and remissions with the chronic illnesses have enabled her to see the world differently, which in turn has influenced her artistic perspective.

"Things come back around...It's very Buddhist, like impermanence and that sort of thing. But things cycle, good times and bad times. And failures get forgotten." This epiphany about life is also represented in Hotung's latest exhibition "Choreopolis," where circles are a theme that runs through the collection.

What are the key messages she wants to deliver to young future artists? How did she draw on her Hongkonger identity, Eurasian background, and fight against chronic illnesses to develop her unique artistry? When a hobby turns into work, how does she maintain her passion? Watch the video now to find out.