KEITH MACGREGOR

“Like so many others, I took neon for granted when I was younger, viewing it as urban wallpaper rather than investigating the creativity, skill, engineering, and imagination needed to create these dynamic, superb works of art,” said Macgregor. Through hundreds of vivid, previously unseen images, he captures the restless energy of a city defined by its illuminated streets.

At its height in the 1980s, Hong Kong’s skyline shimmered with more than 100,000 neon signs. Today, fewer than 400 remain. City of Lights arrives at a pivotal moment, when the urgency to document and preserve this vanishing heritage has never been greater. A renewed fascination among Hong-Kongers is evident in the success of recent exhibitions at the Hong Kong Design Institute and Tai Kwun, presented in partnership with Tetra Neon Exchange (TNX), reflecting a collective desire to reconnect with and safeguard this defining chapter of the city’s visual history.

Beyond the photographs, the book draws on the human stories behind the glow. It features conversations with those fighting to keep the craft alive: the master benders who hand-bent the glass, the installers who braved the heights, and the conservationists and creators ensuring neon has a future in the city.

“Keith’s body of work constitutes one of the largest photographic archives of Hong Kong’s streets and neon signage,” said co-author Cardin Chan, former general manager of TNX and founder of the cultural heritage company, The Indispensible Hong Kong. “For those of us committed to preservation, it is an invaluable visual record.”

Yet the project’s significance extends beyond the signs themselves. As businesses close—such as the iconic Sammy’s Kitchen earlier this year—it becomes clear that even when a sign is saved, the city around it inevitably moves on. Families grow and storefronts evolve, making this archive all the more essential; it captures the fleeting moments and memories of a Hong Kong in constant flux.

Crucially, the narrative is one of evolution rather than just loss. While the era of massive commercial signage may be fading, neon is finding a new life. City of Lights highlights this transition, showcasing how a new generation of creators—such as the artist Jive Lau—is reimagining the medium for the modern age, ensuring the city’s neon spirit continues to shine in new, innovative forms.