It is the time of year again when Hong Kong becomes a whirlwind of art events and exhibitions. Art lovers from all over the world conglomerate together on this small but vibrant city in hopes of being able to tick off every single event on their long list of art exhibitions to see and do. Don’t know where to start? Fret not as The Artling team has put together a comprehensive 2 day and 5 day downloadable guide to suit the busy, the leisurely and everyone in-between.
Click the image to download the offline version of the guide for your phone!
TWO DAYS
If you are only in Hong Kong for a short 48 hours, you’ll want to make the most of your stay, which means cutting down on time spent traveling through the city’s busy streets. With the two anchor fairs, Art Basel & Art Central both located on Hong Kong Island, we have marked out the art spaces and events that are within close proximity to the fairs to help you best fulfill your art cravings!
DAY 1
Art Basel
29 - 31 March 2018
Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China
Art Basel's 2018 edition features 248 premier galleries from 32 countries and territories. Focusing on an in-depth overview of the region’s diversity through both historical material and cutting-edge works by established and emerging artists, the show presents not only a display of contemporary art, but also solo exhibitions and platforms dedicated to emerging contemporary artists. Click here for a preview of works presented by The Artling's Partner Galleries at the fair.
Kim Yong-Ik for Art Basel's Kabinett Sector. "Despair Completed #3" (1990-2002) by Kim Yong-Ik. Acrylic on Canvas. 194 cm x 259 cm.
Image Courtesy of the artist and Kukje Gallery.
Edouard Malingue
In the Half Life
Philip Lai
26 March 2018 - 5 May 2018
Sixth Floor, 33 Des Voeux, Road Central, Hong Kong
'In the Half Life’ is the first solo exhibition in Asia of Malaysian artist Phillip Lai, at Edouard Malingue Gallery, Hong Kong. The exhibition presents a group of new works by the artist who imprints domesticity, public environments and the industrial into his works.
Image Courtesy of the artist and Edouard Malingue Gallery.
Hanart TZ Gallery
Quote! Quote! Quote!
Inga Svala Thorsdottir and Wu Shanzhuan
22 March 2018 - 3 May 2018
401 Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong
This group show will feature a selection of more than 290 works from 1986 to 2018, witnessing the artists’ transition over the years.Since 1991 Thorsdottir and Wu have been working and exhibiting collaboratively. They live and work in Hamburg, Shanghai and Reykjavík.
Image courtesy of the artists.
Massimo De Carlo
Lu Song: “Combe”
18 January 2018 - 23 March 2018
3F Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong
Combe presents a new body of work by Chinese painter, Lu Song that focuses on the conception and depiction of an idealized place of safety or comfort, and the connections and disconnections between humans and nature. Combe is inspired by the emotions that Lu Song felt. Whilst making this body of work, he read the book Friday by French author Michel Tournier (1967), an enchanting retelling of the legend of Robinson Crusoe.
Installation view. Image Courtesy of Massimo De Carlo.
Pearl Lam Galleries
Huang Yuanqing: "Motives of Lines"
27 March 2018 - 11 May 2018
601-605 Pedder Building,12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong
Chinese artist Huang Yuanqing merges his calligraphic expression with the painting process. The lines and brushstrokes capture the rhythm on the surface of the paintings. He explores cross-cultural perspectives through the use of various materials and techniques from Chinese and western culture.
"Untitled 2017-30" (2017) by Huang Yuanqing, Acrylic on linen, 170 x 210 cm.
Image courtesy of the artist and Pearl Lam Galleries.
DAY 2
Art Central
27 March - 1 April 2018
Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central
In celebration of the vibrancy and diveristy of Asia's contemporary art scene, Art central returns with a curation of exhibitions, installations and engaging panel discussions. Click here for a preview of works presented by The Artling's Partner Galleries at the fair.
Part of PROJECTS, a series of six thought-provoking, large scale installations situated throughout the Fair. "Shanzhai Chandelier" (2018) by Jun Ong. LED light installation. Dimensions variable. Presented by Richard Koh Fine Art.
Image Courtesy of the artist and Richard Koh Fine Art.
Galerie Ora-Ora
Screaming Books
1 March 2018 - 17 March 2018
Halley Cheng, Hung Keung, Peng Jian, Pang Wei, Xiao Xu, Xu Lei, Zhang Yanzi, Tsang Tsou-Choi, the "King of Kowloon"
7/F, H Queen's, 80 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Inspired by literature, the artists' works exemplify how art and literature are intertwined. The exhibition title encapsulates the desire to unite art and words, and references Alexander Rodchenko's poster of a Russian writer and socialite Lilya Brik screaming "Books!"
"Composition" (2017) by Peng Jian, Ink on Paper, 163cm x 146 cm.
Image courtesy the artist and Galerie Ora-Ora.
Tang Contemporary Art
Ai Weiwei: “Refutation”
26 March 2018 - 30 April 2018
10/F, H Queen's, 80 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong
Curated by Cui Cancan, the exhibition features works by Ai Weiwei in response to his first encounter with refugees face-to-face when he traveled to the Greek island of Lesbos. When situated in the context of the city of Hong Kong, taking into account the city's colonial history and Ai's "underground life", the works take on a new meaning in this show at Tang Contemporary Art in Hong Kong.
"Law of the Journey (Prototype A)" (2017) by Ai Weiwei, reinforced PVC, 1640 x 580 x 350 cm.
Image courtesy of the artist and Tang Contemporary Art.
10 Chancery Lane Gallery
Skin On Skin
Dinh Q. Lê
22 March 2018 - 28 April 2018
G/F, 10 Chancery Lane, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong
Exploring the sexual revolution in Vietnam through the internet, Vietnamese artist Dinh Q. Lê showcases a new series of woven photographs investigates the factors driving society's moral attitude toward sexuality and the liberation of former stigmas.
"Gay Mixed No.3" (2018) by Dinh Q. Lê. Epson Archival Inkjet print on Epson Doubleweight Matte Paper, with acid-free double sided tape and pH neutral liner. 110 cm x 110 cm.
Image Courtesy of the artist and 10 Chancery Lane Gallery.
PARKVIEW ART
Beijing Abstract
Mao Lizi, Ma Kelu, Ma Shuqing, Yuan Zuo, Tan Ping, Meng Luding, Feng Lianghong, Li Di
26 March 2018 - 12 May 2018
Upper G/F, Sunrise House, 27 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong
Curated by Peng Feng, the exhibition showcases works by eight Chinese artists based on Peng's research. Many of the artists who started with figurative art experimented with abstract art over the course of 30 years in their artistic practice.
"Abstraction" (1980) by Mao Lizi, Oil on canvas, 195 x 130 cm.
Image courtesy of the artist and PARKVIEW ART Hong Kong.
ADDITIONAL 3 DAYS
With a little more time on your hands, you can head far and wide to explore more of Hong Kong’s Arts and Cultural scene beyond the two anchor fairs. Scroll on to see what other exciting art exhibitions and spaces we have mapped out for you!
DAY 3
Blindspot Gallery
Going and Coming
Jiang Zhi
27 March 2018 - 12 May 2018
15/F, Po Chai Industrial Building, 28 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
Chinese artist Huang Yuanqing uses the flower as a subject of experimentation in this exhibition. The two new series "Going and Coming" and "Fade" in this exhibition aim to recombine and restructure the flowers used in "Love Letters", Jiang’s iconic photographic series from 2010-2014.
"Fade 12" (2016-17) by Jiang Zhi, Archival inkjet print, 183.4 x 137.6 cm (Edition of 3 + 2AP) / 100 x 75 cm (Edition of 6 + 2AP).
Image courtesy of the artist and Blindspot Gallery.
Rossi & Rossi
Heman Chong: “Abstracts from The Straits Times”
10 February 2018 - 31 March 2018
3C Yally Industrial Building, 6 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang
Presenting Malaysia-born Singaporean artist Heman Chong's twelve large-scale conceptual works were produced by digitally repeating entire pages from "The Straits Times", the national paper of Singapore. Look up close and read between the lines as the artist complies layers of text and pages together in a form of abstraction.
"The Straits Times, Monday, August 10, 2015, Page C7" (2018) by Heman Chong, UV print on unprimed canvas, 130 x 200 x 5 cm.
Image courtesy of the artist and Rossi & Rossi.
Gallery EXIT
Elpis Chow: “Blunt”
24 February 2018 - 17 March 2018
3/F, 25 Hing Wo Street, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Gallery EXIT will be presenting a series of pantings by Hong Kong artist Elpis Chow, focusing on the overlooked experiences of our daily lives.
"Mute i” (2018) by Elpis Chow. oil on linen. 77 x 77 cm.
Image Courtesy of the artist and Gallery EXIT.
DAY 4
Lucie Chang Fine Arts
Then he heard of tales of a celestial mountain: Ho Siu Kee Solo Exhibition
Ho Siu Kee
1 March 2018 - 13 April 2018
No.26, Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
An exploration of the artist's own senses and bodily perception in sculpture, installation, photography, video and other performance-based works for more than two decades, Ho Siu Kee was inspired by some of the greatest minds in the Chinese history of literature to create his most recent series of sculptures displayed in this exhibition.
"山水二號 Mountain and Sea No.2." (2018) by Ho Siu Kee, Bronze Sculpture, Steel Basin, Water. 30 x 30 x 10 cm.
Image courtesy of the artist and Lucie Chang Fine Arts.
Leo Gallery
STONE II
Shi Zhiying
26 March 2018 - 30 April 2018
189 Queen's Road West, Hong Kong
"STONE II” is an continual exhibition of Chinese artist Shi Zhiying's previous theme on "STONE". Through her works, the exhibition will bring viewers into a world with no particular aim, direction of focus but a multitude of details, colours and textures.
"Stone 18-5" ( 2018) by Shi Zhiying . Oil on Canvas. 180 x 250 cm.
Image Courtesy of the artist and Leo Gallery.
Asia Art Archive
Line of Flight: Nilima Sheikh Archive
Nilima SHeikh
22 March 2018 – 30 June 2018
Asia Art Archive Library, 11/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Lines of Flight brings together documents from Nilima Sheikh’s archive to explore the importance of travel and artistic techniques in her practice. The exhibition spotlights Sheikh’s travels in the 1980s to research the living traditions of art in India, with an emphasis on the Pichhwai paintings of Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
"Drawing of traditional brush-making techniques, part of her research: Painted Pichhvais of Nathadwara," (1986–87) by Nilima Sheikh.
Image Courtesy of the artist.
Harbour Arts Sculpture Park
Harbour Arts Sculpture Park
22 February 2018 - 11 April 2018
Rasheed Araeen (UK), Michael Craig-Martin (UK), Tracey Emin (UK), Ho Kwun Ting (HKSAR), Jenny Holzer (USA), Gimhongsok (South Korea), Antony Gormley (UK), Zheng Guogu (China), Yayoi Kusama (Japan), Tony Oursler (USA), Conrad Shawcross (UK), Bosco Sodi (Mexico), Hank Willis Thomas (USA), Matthew Tsang (HKSAR), Mark Wallinger (UK), Zhan Wang (China), Wong Chi-yung (HKSAR), Kacey Wong (HKSAR), and Morgan Wong (HKSAR)
Presented by Hong Kong Arts Centre with support from H Queen’s by Henderson Development Limited, together with Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Hong Kong's Central and Wan Chai Harbourfront has been transformed into an international sculpture park to bring museum-quality art to the public. Co-curated by Tim Marlow and Fumio Nanjo, works by local and international artists are featured in this exhibition.
"Installation view of 45 Degrees Artificial Rock" (2014) by Zhan Wang, Sculpture.
Image courtesy of the artist and Harbour Arts Sculpture Park.
Day 5
Para Site
A Beast, A God, and A Line
Au Hoi Lam, Pablo Bartholomew, Christy Chow, Jaffa Lam, Phan THao-Nguyen, Truong Cong Tung, Trevor Yeung
17 March - 20 May 2018
22/F, Wing Wah Industrial Building, 677 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
This expansive travelling exhibition is woven through the connections and circulations of ideas and forms across a geography commonly called Asia-Pacific.The stories in A beast, a god, and a line goes back to several historical eras, starting from the early Austronesian world that has woven a maritime universe surpassed in scale only by European colonialism and is taken as the speculative and approximate geographical perimeter of this exhibition.
"Skirt with Kadu Motif depicting the arrival of ancestors to the island of Sumba" (2010) by Raja Umbu, Textile.
Image Courtesy of the artist & Para Site.
Osage Art Foundation
The sun teaches us that history is not everything
Linda Lai, Tang Kwok Hin, Eric Fok, João Ó, Nguyen Trinh Thi, Mark Salvatus, Norberto Roldan, Kent Chan, Fx Harsono, Tromarama, Melati Suryodarmo, Mella Jaarsma, Shinpei Takeda, Miho Hagino and Taro Zorrilla, Esvin Alarcón Lam, Mimian Hsu, Sandra Nakamura, David Zink Yi, Jonas Arrabal, André Terayama, Chang Chi Chai, Daniel Lie, Juliana Kase, Shima , Yudi Rafael
25 March 2018 - 6 May 2018
4/F, Union Hing Yip Factory Building, 20 Hing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Curated by Brazilian curator Raphael Fonseca, the exhibition seeks to find a dialogue between Southeast Asia, South America and Mexico by bringing together works of art by 26 artists.The title of the exhibition, based on a quote from “Betwixt and Between” by the Nobel Prize winning writer Albert Camus, puts forward a discussion on topics such as migration, diaspora, memory, oblivion and identity.
"Lover Across the Sea" (2013) by Melati Suryodarmo, Video installation.
Image courtesy of the artist and Osage Art Foundation.
CHARBON art space
Documenting Myanmar
Minzayar Oo, Mayco Naing, Wah Nu, Tun Win Aung
9 March 2018 - 24 March 2018
8/F Sing Tek Factory, 44 Wong Chuk Hang street, Aberdeen
Curated by Caroline Ha Thuc, the non-profit exhibition of Burmese photographs, short films and artist-modified images revolves around the controversial issues surrounding the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.
Photography by Minzayar Oo.
Image courtesy of the artist and CHARBON.
Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT)
(In)tangible Reminiscence
Iwasaki Takahiro, Jung Yeondoo, Sarah Lai
24 March 2018 - 22 April 2018
45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan, N.T., Hong Kong
Scheduled to open in Spring 2019, Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) is a Non-profit art centre that forms part of the heritage conservation project of The Mills. Curated by Takahashi Mizuki, the exhibition at The Annex in Central, Hong Kong, explores and reinterprets Hong Kong’s textile and fashion industry, as well as issus such as migration and industrialization.
"A Girl in Tall Shoes" (2018) by Jung Yeondoo.
Image courtesy of the artist and Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT).
Our guide might seem exhaustive, however we do not recommend that you overload your plate! Always have a day to wind down and absorb all that you have seen, learnt and to revisit any art spaces that you only managed to briefly catch a glimpse of. Other than that, have fun and don't forget to dowload our Hong Kong Art Week 2018 Guide below!
Click the image to download the offline version of the guide for your phone!
Any views or opinions in the post are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the company or contributors.
