Tatler+
With a commitment to making contemporary visual culture more accessible, HSBC’s Open to Art initiative sees the bank become the M+ museum’s first lead partner
Kicking off with the exhibition Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now, a new partnership will see HSBC become lead sponsor of selected special exhibitions at M+, guided visits for social service organisations and access groups, and family-oriented learning activities held during M+ Family Days.
A storied retail bank, HSBC has long contributed to the city’s art and culture scene with its large-scale collection of historical documents, photographs, drawings and banknotes, featuring different facets of Hong Kong inside its vast archive gallery.
Earlier this year, the bank was the title sponsor for Metavision, an exhibition of NFTs held at K11 Musea, with a selection of works on show throughout the mall, while the Gold Ball event space, where HSBC showcased its own pieces, was lined with digital screens which displayed its journey to becoming a pioneer in art tech.
In addition, two digital art assets showcased by HSBC were on display at each of the Wealth Centres for high-net-worth clients. The Art of Progress is an intriguing piece that combines technology and new media to portray a timeline of HSBC’s key growth milestones, using iconic elements of HSBC banknotes while illustrating the real-time movements of the Hang Seng Index. Threads of Life features intricate depictions of riverside cranes and flowers to symbolise fortune and prosperity; it was inspired by the silk tapestry presented to Sir Thomas Jackson, the chief manager of HSBC between 1876 and 1902, as a retirement gift from local merchants. The tapestry is now in the bank’s own archive of historic art collections, which chronicles Hong Kong’s progression throughout the years. The digital art piece connects tradition with technology, injecting new life into the bank’s longstanding heritage.
HSBC and M+ share the same dedication to making art accessible for all. HSBC is the lead sponsor of the long-awaited exhibition Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now, which features a wide range of paintings, installations, collages and archival materials, and explores how Kusama became a global icon who continues to create influential artwork to this day.
Offering extraordinary contemporary art experiences through its Open to Art campaign and groundbreaking partnership with M+, HSBC’s initiatives are a testament to its continued support of and contribution to local and international cultural development in Hong Kong.