What to expect at next week’s Hong Kong Art Basel 2018

What to expect at Art Basel Hong Kong next week

As the perfect conclusion to Art Month, Art Basel Hong Kong 2018 will be taking over our city for the last three days of March. Almost 250 well-respected galleries from over 30 countries worldwide will be descending on the Fragrant Harbour, including 28 first-timers. So what exactly can we expect from this year’s edition of Art Basel Hong Kong?

Ai Weiwei, The Song of White Yu
Ai Weiwei, The Song of White Yu

Art, art and more art

Hong Kong’s art lovers will be treated to an almost infinite range of artworks of every imaginable medium: paintings, sculptures, installation, photographs, digital pieces and more.

Liu Bolin courtesy of Ruinart, Lost in Blanc de Blanc Bottles
Liu Bolin, Lost in Blanc de Blanc Bottles (image credit: Ruinart and Liu Bolin)

Events to check out:

  1. Legendary artist Ai Weiwei’s second solo exhibition ‘Ai Weiwei: Refutation’ displaying at Tang Contemporary Art in the new H Queen’s.
  2. A never-before-seen photography series, Invisible Hands, from famed ‘camouflage’ artist Liu Bolin will be on show at PMQ. The series was shot at Maison Ruinart, the champagne brand’s historic cellar which doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  3. Up-and-coming local mixed-media talent Natalie Wong’s Neon Rap Portraits at The Hive Spring
Neon Rap Portraits by local mixed-media talent Natalie Wong
Neon Rap Portraits by local mixed-media talent Natalie Wong

Museums

Beyond the traditional art gallery fair, Hong Kong’s museums are also getting in on the action at Art Basel Hong Kong next week. From exposes on traditional Chinese mediums to cultural pieces from farther afield, here are some standout events.

Chao Shao-an, The Scent of Peony
Chao Shao-an, The Scent of Peony
  1. Porcelain and Painting at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which highlight the works of two masters of the Lingnan School of Painting: Yang Shanshen and Chao Shao-an.
  2. The Blue Road: Mastercrafts from Persia, a delightful collection of cultural treasures from the other end of the Silk Road, showing at Liang Yi Museum.
  3. From Two Arises Three: Collaborative Works of Arnold Chang and Michael Cherney at HKU’s University Museum and Art Gallery, which showcases an interesting hybrid of traditional ink painting techniques and modern mixed-media skills.
Manuscript art from Persia
Manuscript art from Persia

With so many unique exhibitions to explore, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Our suggestion? Lace up your walking shoes, plot your gallery course and dive into Art Basel Hong Kong, one show at a time!