Cover From world-class museums to vibrant art galleries, explore the artistic side of Hong Kong.
From world-class museums to vibrant art galleries, explore the artistic side of Hong Kong.
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From world-class museums to vibrant art galleries, Hong Kong offers an exceptional array of cultural and artistic experiences.
After a short drive from Tsim Sha Tsui, we arrive at one of the towering buildings in Fo Tan, an industrial area in the New Territories, north of Kowloon. Stepping out of the lift, we come to a dark corridor with the unmistakable smell of metal in the air. “Please be careful, the floor is slippery,” the landlord cautions us. We make our way slowly down the corridor before reaching Trevor Yeung’s studio.
The artist later reveals that the neighbouring space housed a pork processing factory, and occasionally, pig carcasses would be found in the hallway. Over recent years, artists such as Yeung have moved into such industrial spaces, with others sharing the same area, creating their own vibrant creative communities. Local galleries, including Blindspot Gallery, which represents Yeung, have also transformed former factories and warehouses in Wong Chuk Hang, another industrial district in the south.
Once inside his studio, a very different atmosphere greets us. Sunlight streams through large windows, offering views of the mountains. Inside, Yeung cultivates a range of plants alongside an eclectic collection of crystals, lighting fixtures, and objects inspired by aquaculture and the natural world.
“I collect a lot of things,” he explains. “I used to have more plants, but I needed someone to water them when I was away on business. Now, there are succulents and cacti here, so I don’t have to water them every day.”
These objects are more than just decorative. They play a vital role in Yeung’s artistic process, with some integrated into his multimedia installations. Born in China and based in Hong Kong, the artist frequently draws metaphors for human relationships from systems like aquariums, lighting setups, and plant ecosystems.
Above Artist Trevor Yeung in his studio
Artist Trevor Yeung in his studio
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Take, for example, his latest work in the Chaotic Suns series. The artist explores the interplay between order and chaos through a series of chandelier-like pieces, illuminated with mismatched light bulbs that seem to form their own social network.
“When we talk about chandeliers, we talk about crystals that are connected,” Yeung explains. “Even though I have crystals in the studio, I don’t use them.”
“For me, it’s always the materials closest to me that I transform into other forms. I use a lot of artificial light, especially during exhibitions or art displays. Good lighting is very important.”
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Last October, Yeung was invited by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to showcase his light artworks and installations at a Cha Chaan Teng café serving Hong Kong-style Western food at Art Basel Paris. This installation at the Grand Palais marked a new chapter in a three-year global partnership with the international art fair. As the fair’s only Asian destination, it provided an ideal platform to showcase Hong Kong’s East-meets-West culture through food and art.
Tatler is in Hong Kong at the invitation of HKTB to explore the city’s dynamic creative scene and rich cultural offerings. Much has changed in the city since the pandemic, with two major events reigniting the local art scene – the openings of world-class museums M+ in 2021 and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in 2022.
Above Sotheby’s Salon – concept store at Sotheby’s Maison at Landmark Chater
Sotheby’s Salon – concept store at Sotheby’s Maison at Landmark Chater
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Both M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum are located in the West Kowloon Cultural District, also known as WestK. This area has received strategic investment from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to support the long-term development and infrastructure needs of the city’s arts and culture scene. Other notable facilities in the district include Freespace, a contemporary performance centre, and the Xiqu Centre, dedicated to promoting Chinese opera, alongside the Art Gallery and Art Park.
Overlooking Victoria Harbour, M+ presents a remarkable collection of 20th- and 21st-century visual culture, contextualised within Asia, encompassing the fields of visual arts, design and architecture, and moving image. Some of the museum’s major exhibitions include Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now and IM Pei: Life Is Architecture, the latter running until January 5. The museum has become one of Hong Kong’s most iconic cultural venues, with its architectural form featuring LED lighting that projects moving images. The design also includes a central foyer, which facilitates easy access to the 33 galleries.
Looking ahead to the 2025 programme, highlights include the world premiere of Masquerades, an exhibition of photographic works by Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman, which opened last December. Picasso for Asia: A Conversation is another groundbreaking exhibition, bringing together over 60 works by the Spanish artist on loan from the Musée national Picasso-Paris, alongside around 80 pieces by Asian and Asian diaspora artists from the M+ Collection.
Meanwhile, Yeung, who represented Hong Kong at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia last year with his commissioned solo exhibition Courtyard of Attachments, returns to M+ with Courtyard of Detachments. This new work addresses broader environmental and systemic issues.
Above A look at Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman: Masquerades at M+
A look at Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman: Masquerades at M+
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A mere 10-minute walk from M+ through Art Park leads to the Hong Kong Palace Museum. The first thing that captures your attention is the curved gold-plated aluminium façade and the striking crimson front door. However, it is the more than 900 priceless treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City that will truly captivate you. Many of these objects are on display in Hong Kong for the first time, some of which have never been shown to the public before.
The museum takes a fresh approach to traditional aesthetics, drawing inspiration from Chinese art and architecture, as well as treasures from across the globe. A notable past exhibition was The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris, which highlighted the development of French fashion and jewellery.
M+ Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum have been strategically funded by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Perhaps one of the most exciting cultural openings in Hong Kong last year was the new Sotheby’s Maison, the auction house's Asian headquarters, spread across two floors at Landmark Chater in Central. Beyond a typical gallery space, it offers a museum-quality area on the ground floor and the Sotheby’s Salon on the first floor. This curated retail space showcases over 200 objects spanning nearly 20 categories, including a prehistoric mammoth skull and street artist Futura’s sculpture FL-001 Pointman (2019).
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Central is also home to a vibrant arts precinct, offering a delightful blend of local and international galleries. Galleries such as Villepin and Angela Li’s Contemporary can be found along Hollywood Road. The 1km stretch between Central and Sheung Wan is also home to key cultural sites, including Tai Kwun – the former Central Police Station, Central Court, and Victoria Prison. These spaces have been transformed into a community hub dedicated to art, culture, and heritage, with local galleries such as Ora Ora and Kwai Fung Hin, alongside the renowned art bookstore Taschen. For a captivating range of exhibitions, head to JC Contemporary, where you can experience Tao Hui, a Chinese exhibition that explores the collision of realism and fiction in the supernatural world of In the Land Beyond Living.
Above Carving Art at Dawn Atelier & Academy
Carving Art at Dawn Atelier & Academy
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Meanwhile, the H Queen's art building on Queen’s Road houses some of Hong Kong’s leading international galleries, including David Zwirner, Pace Gallery, and Whitestone Gallery. Local jewellery label Dawn Atelier & Academy has recently launched a new platform, showcasing fine jewellery and crafts from both local and international artisans. Sunsmith, based in Causeway Bay, also offers jewellery workshops.
Editor’s Picks: Where to Eat, Drink and Stay in Hong Kong
Accommodation: Lanson Place Causeway Bay
After a renovation by French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, Lanson Place Causeway Bay reopened in March last year. Its prime location offers easy access to Hong Kong’s business and shopping districts, while also providing a serene retreat for guests. The 188 rooms and suites, including six penthouses (one of which is pictured above), exude French sophistication and all the comforts of a home away from home. We particularly appreciate the little touches, such as the fresh egg tarts from the renowned Bakehouse bakery, available each morning at L’Orangerie on the ground floor.
Above Plush room interiors at Lanson Place Causeway Bay
Plush room interiors at Lanson Place Causeway Bay
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Cuisine: Spring Moon
Located within The Peninsula Hong Kong, Spring Moon is one of the city’s most renowned Chinese restaurants. This Michelin-starred establishment is a firm favourite for its Cantonese cuisine and is the perfect venue for a dim sum lunch. Spanning two floors, the main dining room evokes the glamour of 1920s Shanghai. Highlights include braised bird’s nest soup and Peking duck, paired with the famous XO chilli sauce, along with an extensive selection of 30 types of tea.
Above Spring Moon is one of the city’s most celebrated Chinese restaurants.
Spring Moon is one of the city’s most celebrated Chinese restaurants.
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Drink: Maggie Choo's Hong Kong
Designed by Ashley Sutton – the creative force behind Hong Kong’s iconic themed bars such as The Iron Fairies and Dragonfly – this pub-inspired venue is an offshoot of its Bangkok counterpart. Styled like an old British bank, complete with safes and a spiral staircase, Maggie Choo’s is tucked away behind a faux antique shop on Hollywood Road. Live jazz fills the space in the evenings, transforming into a nightclub after 10pm. Signature cocktails include the Delusion, a thyme-infused pisco with pineapple, citrus, and syrup.
Above Maggie Choo’s themed bar in Hong Kong
Maggie Choo’s themed bar in Hong Kong
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As Hong Kong continues to assert itself as a global cultural powerhouse, the city’s vibrant arts scene and strategic investments in creative infrastructure set a compelling example for Vietnam’s burgeoning art community. The success of Hong Kong’s transformation highlights the importance of embracing innovative spaces, fostering local talent, and building international connections—elements that can inspire Vietnam to elevate its own artistic landscape.
By nurturing a unique blend of tradition and modernity, Vietnam has the potential to make a lasting mark on the global cultural stage, showcasing its distinctive artistic voice to the world.
This article was adapted from the original published in Tatler Vietnam, February 2025 issue.
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