Highlights from Art Central Hong Kong 2018
ByValencia TongArt Central 2018. Photo by Jacquie Manning.
Art Central 2018 returns to Hong Kong for the fourth edition, with a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Galleries from the region constitute of over 75% of the 102 international galleries in this year's fair. From March 26 to April 1, Art Central features many of The Artling's partner galleries. On the occasion, the Artling selects some must-see highlights from the fair!
Installation view of Art Central 2018. Photo by Jacquie Manning.
From left to right: Tim Etchells, Shuyin Yang, Christine Ip, Mikala Tai and Ying Kwok. Photo by Jacquie Manning.
The satellite fair, which coincides Art Basel Hong Kong, is a popular event. Featuring a mixure of established and emerging artists, Art Central presents a variety of sectors and programs, opening with special performances during "First Night" and throughout the entire duration of the fair.
"Sea No.4" (2017) by Lv Shanchuan, Oil on Canvas, 140 x 180cm. Image courtesy of Contemporary by Angela Li.
"Informal Solutions" (2015) by Michael Wolf. Image courtesy of Flowers Gallery.
"‘Sweet Sorrow’ Series" (2013) by Wing Shya, Photography. Image courtesy of Blue Lotus Gallery.
The GALLERIES sector at Art Central not only showcases sought-after contemporary artists with established markets, it also pushes the boundaries for emerging talents. At Contemporary by Angela Li, works by renowned Chinese artists Lv Shanchuan and Li Hongbo are displayed. The group presentation at Flowers Gallery includes Hong Kong-based artist Michael Wolf, whose installation is created from video, photographs and found artifacts. Local gallery Blue Lotus Gallery features works by the acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Wing Shya from his "Sweet Sorrow" Series, and collages from his first collaboration with filmmaker Wong Kar-wai.
"Scenery of Dialogue" (2018) by Yang Jung Uk, Mixed media, 335 x 520x 420 cm. Presented by Gallery Hyundai. Photo by Jacquie Manning.
"Dream of The Red Chamber" (2017) by Zhang Xiaodong, book installation using Accordion-Dragon scale binding, 335 x 520x 420 cm. Presented by Sin Sin Fine Art. Photo by Jacquie Manning.
Curated by Ying Kwok, the PROJECTS sector displays works by South Korean artist Yang Jung Uk, Chinese artist Zhang Xiaodong, Indonesian artist Entang Wiharso and Malaysian artist Jun Ong, among others. The 6 large-scale immersive installations in the sector enrich the audience viewing experience.
"My Heart is Bigger than You Think" (2013) by Entang Wiharso, Aluminum, resin, color pigment, thread, 147 x 434 cm. Presented by Marc Straus. Image courtesy of the artist and Marc Straus.
"Shanzhai Chandelier" (2018) by Jun Ong, LED light installation, Dimensions variable. Presented by Richard Koh Fine Arts. Image courtesy of the artist and Richard Koh Fine Arts.
In addition, Art Central has partnered with several intitutions and brands to create partner programs. With Asia Society, Art Central orgranizes a series of TALKS. Speakers include 2018 Asia Society Game Changer Award Honorees Subodh Gupta and Shirazeh Houshiary. Brands such as Swarovski, G. H. Mumm, initial Fashion, Jimmy Choo, Lane Crawford, present fresh new insights with the art and design works on show. SCAD offers tours of the fair during Art Central, while UOB's week-long workshops promote ink art to adults and children.
Week-long ink art educational workshop series run at UOB Art Space. Image courtesy of UOB and Art Central.
To encourage audience participation, daily on-site performances address contemporary issues of disposession and tension between the disparities across societies. Australia's 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art brings to the fair a series of interactive performances. PERFORMANCE artists include Caroline Garcia (Australia), FJ Kunting (Indonesia), Sam Lo (Singapore) as well as artist duo Sampson Wong & Lam Chi Fai (Hong Kong).
Garcia draws on her Filipino ancestry, exploring issues of cultural tourism and neocolonialism, while interrogating the anthropological phenomenon of the ethnographic exhibition. Globalization and politics are themes in Lo's work, and he invites the audience to rethink the process of imagined nation buidling through a game of Jenga.
"The Vitrine of Dancing Cultures" by Caroline Garcia, performance. Presented by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Photo by Jacquie Manning.
"Progress: The Game of Leader" by Sam Lo, performance. Image courtesy of the artist and 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.
Browse our articles on Hong Kong Art Week 2018 to find out what other parallel art events are taking place this week!
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