Cover The HKWalls festival is coming back in its ninth edition (Photo: courtesy of HKWalls)
The HKWalls festival is coming back in its ninth edition (Photo: courtesy of HKWalls)
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While Hong Kong’s art month is anchored by Art Basel, plenty of other events and exhibitions such as Arts Central and HKWalls are happening across the city that art lovers shouldn’t miss
Hong Kong’s art scene caught the attention of the world with the advent of Art Basel Hong Kong in 2013. While the Swiss owned fair will be at the centre of the city’s art calendar, there have been thriving local initiatives that have shaped the growth and expanse of Hong Kong’s cultural landscape.
From street art all around the city to night-time exhibitions in Central, here are Tatler’s picks of five visual art events to check out besides Art Basel.
You might also like: Art month 2024: Tatler’s ultimate guide to exhibitions across Hong Kong during Art Basel 2024
Supper Club
Above Outside of Fringe Club (Photo: courtesy of Fringe Club)
Outside of Fringe Club (Photo: courtesy of Fringe Club)
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This year, the Fringe Club plays host to the inaugural edition of Supper Club, a new week-long event that is a hybrid between an art fair, a hub for engagement with contemporary art, and a social gathering space. It features a roster of galleries from across the globe who will take over the club to stage various artistic presentations, focusing on emerging and experimental presentations curated by Anqi Li. There will also be live performances and local F&B vendors.
The extended nighttime hours (until 1am) are intended to encourage visitors to wander in and linger, as they meander through winding corridors and interconnected rooms adapted by Beau Architects for the occasion. The event is initiated by three Hong Kong gallerists: Willem Molesworth and Ysabelle Cheung of PHD Group, and Alex Chan of The Shop House.
Dates: March 25-30, 4pm-1am
Address: Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central
HKWalls
This year sees the ninth edition of the HKWalls festival, featuring an impressive display of street art across the city by local artists and those from around the world, including Hera (Germany), Rabi (USA), Maye (France), Jaune (Belgium), Michal Skapa (Chezch Republic) and Aches (Ireland). The diverse range of original artworks include murals, site-specific interventions and digital screen take-overs (one is on the TST Centre facade facing Victoria Harbour).
Dates: March 23-31
Address: Street art in Central and Western District; digital artwork on Sino LuminArt Façade in Tsim Sha Tsui, and other locations across Hong Kong
‘Coalescent Lights’
Above “Untitled” by Ibrahim Mahama (Photo: courtesy of Ibrahim Mahama)
“Untitled” by Ibrahim Mahama (Photo: courtesy of Ibrahim Mahama)
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Viewed as a popular and successful art fair in the west, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is coming to Asia for the first time with the exhibition Coalescent Lights. The show emphasises 1-54’s core mission in bringing to light work by artists from Africa and its diaspora, spanning multiple generations, expanding their institutional and market recognition. Works on view include drawings infused with Sudanese iconography from Sudanese modernist Ibrahim El-Salahi’s Pain Relief, and 20th-century Malian photographer Seydou Keïta’s powerful images. Highlights of works by a contemporary generation of artists include Nigerian American Wura Natasha-Ogunji’s delicate hand-stitched pieces accentuated by ink on tracing paper and Ibrahim Mahama’s jute sack paintings.
Dates: March 26-30, 10.30 am-5.30 pm
Address: James Christie Room, 22/F Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road, Central
‘Everybody knows’
Above “Confusion” by Kasing Lung (Photo: courtesy of Kasing Lung)
“Confusion” by Kasing Lung (Photo: courtesy of Kasing Lung)
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Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung grew up in 1980s Europe, so many of his early memories are set against the backdrop of Cold War nuclear threats. With the Ukraine-Russia conflict came a return of the fear he’d sensed as a child, only amplified, as Lung is now a parent. He volunteered to teach art to Ukrainian refugee children in Belgium, where he’s based, saying, “I hope sharing their sorrows would bring them happiness, and empower their young hearts during hardships.” His solo exhibition at Landmark is named after a favourite Leonard Cohen song, and links good memories with current affairs, with works created to convey messages of love and peace.
Dates: March 25-April 17
Address: The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central
Art Central
Above Art Central returns to Central Harbourfront (Photo: courtesy Art Central)
Art Central returns to Central Harbourfront (Photo: courtesy Art Central)
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Art Central heads back to its pre-pandemic Central Harbourfront location for 2024. More than 90 galleries are participating at this year’s fair, which features works by international and local artists, both emerging and established. It will see the launch of NEO, which will highlight new exhibitors who are showing artists that are also making their debut at the fair. Along with its usual programming of in-depth talks and large-scale installations, the event will see the return of the popular dining terrace featuring food and drinks from local F&B outlets.
Dates: March 28-31
Address: Central Harbourfront
Aaina was the Arts and Culture Editor of Tatler Asia. A passion for history and all things visual led her in the pursuit of art history. With extensive experience in the art world working for a range of art institutions, she combined her passion and expertise in the form of art and culture journalism. Prior to Tatler, Aaina worked as a culture reporter for South China Morning Post and editor at the online art platform Cobo Social. Additionally, she has contributed to a variety of prestigious art publications including Art Review, The Art Newspaper, Ocula, Art Agenda, Artsy, Design Anthology, and Artomity. Follow her on Instagram.
