About

My name is Errol Hugh, I was born in Kingston, Jamaica and now reside in Hong Kong. In 1962 I studied Building Technology at University of Technology, (formally College of Arts Sceince & Technology) in Kingston, and graduated with Bachelor of Environmental Studies in 1970 and Master of Architecture in 1973, from the University of Manitoba.

Over the years I kept sketchbooks of my architectural designs and have always encouraged my colleagues to sketch and produce free-hand drawings during their conceptual design stages.

The act of sketching is the process that extrapolates interpretations of our intuitiveness and at the same time activates our understanding of what we are sketching. For me personally sketching involves establishing a close harmonic connection between seeing, perceiving, understanding, exploring, and executing. It is a process where ideas from the perception of our 3D world are expressed and translated on to a 2D medium.

Those we term “artists” also make such translations. Some have found what were at the time new techniques for doing this – techniques to which the worlds of art criticism and art history have given specific terms such as Impressionism, Realism, Modernism, etc. The apparently more modest art of sketching can be a means of initiating and incubating “works destined to be art”. Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and others made sketches as initial steps towards creating great masterpieces. The act of sketching was not, I venture to say, merely a means for them to record what was later to become the subject of a “work of art”. Rather, it was the initial stage in their creative process.

Thousand of digital images will never replace the experience of the act of on-site sketching.

As Chairman of the Academic Exchange Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (2003-2008), I chaired the exhibitions, Remaking the Framework of Architectural Education for the 21st Century, City of Life: Hong Kong Architecture & Art Influence, and New Trends of Architecture 2004/2005. I was also Chairman of the Asia Cultural Cooperation Forum Committee for Experiencing Architecture in 2006, and Chairman and Moderator of the same Committee for Living Heritage in 2007, both being public symposia organized by The Home Affairs Bureau of The Government the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In December 2009 I published my first book: A Personal Journey through Sketching: The Sketcher’s Art, which is available at Amazon. It is not a beginner’s book, but rather a document on the techniques and style of my personal way of sketching. It is printed in color, A4 landscape format with 100 pages and hard cover. Since that time I find pleasure in compiling sketches of my architectural works and drawings, and have produced a personal series of A5 books which I call My Series. As time goes by I shall discuss these in my Blog.

Update 7th February 2016

Returned to Canada in July 2015, and am now residing in Toronto…great city to be in again. Do continue to watch my blog. More artistic postings to continue and I look forward to imaginative exchanges with all…