Cover Inside M+ museum’s 5th anniversary gala on October 31 (Photo: courtesy of Occasions PR)
Inside M+ museum’s 5th anniversary gala on October 31 (Photo: courtesy of Occasions PR)
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Cao Fei, Chow Yun Fat and Carina Lau were among the more than 450 guests at West Kowloon for the M+ Gala—a mythical evening of art, music and philanthropy
On October 31, M+ turned its Main Hall into a fantasy world for the M+ Gala 2026, a charity evening held just ahead of the museum’s fifth anniversary on November 12.
More than 450 guests from Hong Kong and abroad walked the red carpet dressed in “fantasy black tie” inspired by the museum’s current exhibition, Myths and Monsters: The Art of Fantasy in Asia. The art crowd included artist Cao Fei, Moma director Christophe Cherix and board chair Marie-Josée Kravis, Centre Pompidou president Laurent Le Bon, Kunsthaus Zürich director Ann Demeester, Power Station of Art director Gong Yan, and collector and M+ board member Uli Sigg. Local film royalty Sylvia Chang, Ann Hui and Carina Lau were also there.
Inside, an immersive installation based on the exhibition, featuring HSBC’s famous lion sculptures, set the mood. HSBC is the museum’s lead partner and the exhibition’s lead sponsor. The evening opened with pianist Gina Alice Redlinger, followed by a violin and DJ set from Olivia Dawn Mok. Over cocktails, M+ also announced the M+ Restored Film Festival 2026, backed by newly named lead partner Chanel, which will screen nine restored Hong Kong classics at M+ Cinema on selected weekends in November and December.
Paolo Pong (Photo: courtesy of Occasions PR)
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The night closed with a live charity auction led by auctioneer Elaine Kwok. Six works donated by Asian artists and their galleries went under the hammer, including pieces by Takashi Murakami, Lee Bul, Dominique Fung, Firenze Lai, Duan Jianyu and Li Anna Liu. Other lots included fine wines donated by Henry Tang, and a five-day art and wine escape to Château La Coste in the south of France. A pledge drive also supported Wondrous Age, the museum’s creative programme for older adults.
M+ board chairman Paulo Pong said the gala would help the museum present dynamic exhibitions, commission new works and strengthen its international reach, while gala board chairman Neil Shen called the evening a testament to what a community can achieve together. All proceeds will go toward M+’s growth and operations, from collection care to learning initiatives and support for emerging artists and cultural practitioners.
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print. She also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts — curates star-studded events, and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, building communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
