Another neon master who contributed to earning Hong Kong the title ‘The Pearl of The Orient’ recently left us.
Master Wan spent his whole life working in neon industry since the 1950s. Though being pocket-sized himself, he specialised in installing the giant neon signs on top of buildings along the Victoria Harbour. His signature works that made himself proud include the humongous Panasonic neon sign that still exists in Wanchai and the ViewSonic one that once perched upon the Wan Chai Pier, with neon tubes depicting the colourful bird-trio logo.
On his sickbed, his mind was still occupied with the thoughts of if the oral history given by him was enough or helpful. He dedicated his whole life to Hong Kong neon and his son recalled, his late father always came alive when reminiscing the signs he helped make.
On the contrary, what we could do was limited when we were aware of his passing. A wreath was all what his son was hoping for - ‘My father would be pleased with some recognition’. On the day of his funeral, we wanted to express our appreciation for Master Wan in person and let his family know his father would not be forgotten. It was held in the funeral parlour that is still with a rare and beautiful neon sign (blue and white traditionally are usually the colours saved for funerals) . Though the arrangement was not intended, we hoped the neon sign could provide Master Wan with some comfort and company for his departure.
As a tribute, we would like to dedicate our first proper post to Master Wan and his family. May he rest in peace and we will do the best we can to ensure his story and life-long effort will be known.
霓虹星殞落
最近另一位曾經有助香港赢得東方之珠美譽的霓虹師傅又離開了我們。
尹炳光先生，人稱炳叔，早於上世紀五十年代已投身霓虹業。他個子細小，卻擅長於高樓上安裝巨型霓虹招牌，光芒照亮維港兩岸數十載。其中令他自豪的作品包括還現存於灣仔的Panasonic招牌及於八十年代豎立於灣仔碼頭上蓋ViewSonic招牌，以霓虹管細緻描繪出三隻彩色的雀烏圖案。
在病榻上，炳叔仍記掛他分享有關霓虹的口述歷史是否有助於他人的研究。兒子憶述：[先父每次懷緬從事霓虹的時光人也會不禁生猛起來]。他把一生貢獻給霓虹，過身後兒子只希望父親能在靈堂收到一個花圈，象徵他的努力得到別人一點認可。
霓虹交滙感謝兒子讓我們參加炳叔的喪禮，令我們能親身感謝他生前給香港霓虹的付出，亦希望藉此讓其家人知道炳叔的故事不會被遺忘。炳叔喪禮於香港殯儀館舉行，外牆仍保留了獨特藍白色的霓虹招牌，雖然此安排純屬巧合，但希望令炳叔掛念的霓虹可給予他最後的陪伴及安慰。
我們特意把首個正式的帖文獻給炳叔及其家人，並竭力讓更多人認識炳叔的故事及貢獻。
