Art Basel Hong Kong returns to the city this week at full strength after years of disruption. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect from the city's annual celebration of art
Art Basel Hong Kong
Art Basel Hong Kong returns this week
Art Basel Hong Kong is the city’s largest international art fair, focusing on modern and contemporary work by established and emerging artists. Art Basel launched in Hong Kong in 2013, the first time it had exhibited in Asia.
Art Basel Hong Kong is Hong Kong art week’s main event and will be returning to “full scale” this year, featuring more than 240 international galleries and supported by an exciting art events programme around the city.
Artists from more than 40 countries will be represented, a 40% increase on last year. Sixty-eight galleries are returning following a hiatus during the pandemic years and 25 galleries will be joining Art Basel Hong Kong for the first time.
Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; March 28 to 30; preview days on March 26 & 27.
Art Central
Art Central is located on Hong Kong's Harbourfront
Art Central will also be returning to its home on Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront. The event is hosted in a purpose-built structure overlooking the harbour and walking distance from Art Basel at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Art Central was founded in 2014 with a view to showcasing Asian works from the 20th and 21st centuries, including emerging and experiential artists. Exhibits of various art forms include painting, installation, photography and sculpture. It is one of the city’s most important cornerstone events supporting the city’s art week and this year it expects to attract 40,000 visitors, from art professionals to curious members of the public.
Art Central, Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central, Hong Kong; March 28 to 31; preview day (invite only) on March 27. Tickets from hkticketing.com
Galerie Koo
Flying over the City by Pen So
This Central-located gallery will be presenting Hong Kong Home Kong II this month and throughout April. The exhibition includes work by four Hong Kong artists, Joshua Leung, Kwong Kwok Wai, Pen So and WM LI, who convey their emotions and experiences of Hong Kong. The cityscapes of Hong Kong are depicted through distinct perspectives in a range of mediums and techniques.
Kwong Wai has used old local maps as a reference in his painting process, while Pen So has created detailed drawings to reflect on the rapid changes in the city, encouraging viewers to look around them or risk missing something in this constantly evolving vista.
WM LI meanwhile has recorded “the beauty of the world” and his memories through his artworks.
Hong Kong Home Kong II, Galerie Koo, 7/F Vogue Building, 67 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; March 23 to April 27.
Pacific Place
Doan at Pacific Place
The Admiralty shopping mall is hosting ‘Doan’, a multimedia installation from Australian ‘First Nations’ artist Daniel Boyd as part of Swire Properties Art Month programme.
Doan is made up of three synergistic elements that create a sensory experience. They include a moving image work, a mirrored floor and window treatments. Each element plays with light and form to explore themes of identity, memory, perception and history.
‘Doan’ translates as ‘darkness’ in the Yugambeh language of the Aboriginal people of Southeast Queensland.
The installation is located in Park Court at Pacific Place.
Doan, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong; March 21 to April 7.
Art in Resonance at The Peninsula
Artist Kingsley Ng
Supporting art week is Art in Resonance at The Peninsula featuring a collection of newly commissioned works by artists Kingsley Ng and Lachlan Turczan, alongside pieces from The Peninsula art collection.
This commission-based art programme was first launched by The Peninsula in 2019 and is designed to support emerging artists with funding and curatorial support.
Art in Resonance is open to the public, with works exhibited throughout the hotel. The art will remain at the hotel throughout May, after which the pieces will travel to other Peninsula properties and will be joined by newly commissioned pieces by other local artists. For the duration of the exhibition in Hong Kong, visitors will have free access to all pieces and the event will be complemented by guided tours and dining experiences.
Art in Resonance, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong; March 22 to late May.
H Queen’s
An art installation at H Queen's
H Queen’s is hosting a curated art experience by the permanent galleries housed in the building and one-off pop-up events.
The international art galleries include David Zwirner, which will be hosting ‘The Point is Matter’ by Wolfgang Tillmans (March 25 to May 11); Pace Gallery will be hosting artist Kylie Manning’s ‘Sea Change’ (March 26 to May 9) with works based on a collaboration with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon for the New York City Ballet; Spanish artist Edgar Plans will be exhibiting ‘Heart of Fearlessness’ at Tang Contemporary Art (March 25 and May 10); and Whitstone Gallery will be presenting work by Japanese artist Aruta Soup in ‘Ruins’ (March 25 to May 11).
The pop-ups include an exhibition of Zaha Hadid’s artwork and space design hosted by The Henderson on the ground floor, which is a prelude to the opening of The Henderson building (until April 6); Onfinitive Art Foundation and VETA by Fer Frances present ‘Traces of Life: Global Figuration’ (March 25 and 30); and London gallery Saatchi Yates will present ‘I Become You’, a solo exhibition by Korean artist Sujin Lee (March 25 to April 9).
There’s also an invite-only event on March 25 hosted by ICHU PERU with a DJ performance, photobooth and Chinese calligrapher who will be creating customised notebooks for guests.
H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong.
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