Kwok Mang Ho
b. 1947, Guangdong, China
Eighteen Levels of Hell, 1988
Calligraphy, wood sticks
Froggy buttons, 1980-1990
Pin buttons
Courtesy Asian American Art Centre and Think!Chinatown

Hong Kong-based performance artist Kwok Mang Ho, also known as “Frog King,” was an integral part of the New York City artistic community in the 1980s. Kwok, who is known for his playful installations and sculpture, was a member of Epoxy Art Group, ran Kwok Gallery from his apartment, and exhibited a number of times with the AAAC. Featured here are buttons bearing his froggy signature. Alongside the playful buttons are a selection of calligraphed wooden sticks titled Eighteen Levels of Hell. Eighteen Levels of Hell was included as part of Epoxy Art Group’s 1988 installation at the AAAC. This work meditated on Buddhist mythological concepts of hell.The full text, translated by the AAAC, reads: In Hell, the oil in the iron pot is boilingThe Copper Column is red from flamesI knew already, that in the end, you will be punished if you are evilYou will be trapped in the bottom of Hell and will never come back to the worldSon’s life comes from the father, but their ways are differentEverything depends on your heart, a kind heart leads to kind actionYou reap what you sowListen to the admonitions of the Buddha and see importance in moralsYaksha will dig out criminal’s heart and eat itIt makes criminals feel like they fall into iceI hope some benevolent prophet will announce the final ordinance before the end of the worldThere are many pathways to Heaven, but no door to leave HellAll living beings: do not underestimate little evils and do not feel like they do not matter; you will be retributed after deathLet us learn more about the punishments of Hell; it will teach us to be noble