An entertainment company and an arts curator have unveiled a life-size statue of the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee at his childhood home in Hong Kong to mark the 85th anniversary of his arrival in the city.

Organisers hmvod Limited and curator Heiman Ng said the statue, unveiled on Monday, has been permanently installed at the Prudential Centre on Nathan Road, where the Lee family lived after returning to Hong Kong in 1941.

An exhibition titled “Bruce Lee: Homecoming – 85th Anniversary Exhibition” will run until the end of May, showcasing a collection of previously unseen photographs and rare posters.

The event has been staged to coincide with the Labour Day “golden week” holiday from May 1 to 5.

“Apart from the statue on the Avenue of Stars, we have installed this sculpture at his childhood doorstep to reflect his more philosophical ‘be like water’ side,” Ng said. “This is a timely reminder for us to stay calm in the turbulent time of Hong Kong.”

The bronze statue, depicts a topless Lee with his hands folded in front of his chest, themed around his signature saying: “be like water.” The phrase originates from a scene in the 1971 television series Longstreet, which highlights the adaptability and fluid nature of water in overcoming life’s obstacles.

The monument, which was announced last year, forms part of the “Bruce Lee Way” memorial trail, joining six other locations established in 2013 to commemorate the star’s local roots.