As another highlight event of Hong Kong Art Week, Art Central officially kicked off at the Central Harbourfront. At yesterday’s VIP preview, we saw participation from 98 galleries from 40 countries, as well as over 500 outstanding artists and speakers from around the world. The artworks and activities are rich and definitely not to be missed!
Art Central 2024
Since 2019, this is the first time returning to the Central Harbourfront as an exhibition area, and it is also the largest and most colorful exhibition since 2015!
Art Central has always provided people with an accessible, engaging, and communicative art experience. The exhibition showcased a total of 98 galleries, all from Asia, with bold and innovative styles. Seventy percent of them were from Asia, and nearly one-third of the galleries operate art spaces in Hong Kong. It also brought together over 500 outstanding artists and speakers from around the world!
Further Reading:
In the main exhibition area, there are also many key galleries, including Bonian Space (Beijing) and WAS Art Centre (Ningbo) presenting a group exhibition of young artists from mainland China, showcasing a dialogue with international artists’ works; Kvalitář (Prague) collaborating with four outstanding artists from the Czech Republic, including experimental painter and sculptor Milan Houser; and the stylistically innovative Spanish gallery VETA by Fer Francés (Madrid) presenting a group exhibition featuring art historically rich paintings, especially from the United States’ Theresa Chromati and Devan Shimoyama, Beijing’s Kang Haoxian, and Seville’s Cristina Lama; renowned Korean female artist Lee Myung-Mi and emerging artist Jang Ji Su appearing together at the PNC (Daegu) booth, also showcasing Hoon Kwak‘s paintings; Whitestone Gallery (Hong Kong) will exhibit works by Asian and international artists including Jiang Miao and Kongkee, in addition to innovative gallery displays.
Through various art projects, diversifying art forms, showcasing the works of a new generation of Asian artists, and artistic concepts from around the world.
「Neo」
More importantly, to highlight the purpose of the exhibition as a cradle for nurturing artists and galleries, a new gallery exhibition area called “Neo” has been launched, curated by Mr. Zheng Deen under the direction of the 2024 curator.
“Neo” covers galleries exhibiting emerging or undiscovered artists for the first time, with 11 galleries and 15 artists selected to showcase in the new “Neo” Gallery Zone, including BFM Art Center (established in Suzhou in 2021), biscuit gallery (established in Tokyo in 2021), Cub_ism_ Artspace (established in Shanghai in 2020), EYECANDIES (established in Shanghai in 2019), Gallery Palzo (established in Qingdao in 2010, and in Daegu in 2022), Gallery Project K (established in Seoul in 2021), PBG (established in Seoul in 2021), ThisWeekendRoom (established in Seoul in 2015), V&E Art (established in Taipei in 2016), wamono art (established in Hong Kong and Tokyo in 2016), and Warin Lab Contemporary (established in Bangkok in 2021).
Focus on Installation Art and Performance Program
Upon entering the exhibition hall, you will first be captivated by an elegant and magnificent red gown, which also marks the beginning of the exhibition.
This is a collaboration between Norico Sunayama and CHAT (The Mills Fabrica) on the world-renowned performance art piece “A Sultry World” (1995), presented for the first time in Hong Kong! Under her work, audiences are drawn into a wondrous space – where they can lift the hem of her red skirt and step underneath. She intentionally placed brushes and sketchbooks under the skirt, accompanied by the scent of lavender, to experience the boundary between public and private.
Artist Ho Sin Tung (born in Hong Kong in 1986) was commissioned to create a large art piece, which made its grand debut at the exhibition – a installation art piece titled “Shadow Strike” (2024). Her creative concept stems from her personal passion for martial arts, as well as the mental and physical discipline and awareness required for mastery of this practice as an artist.
In addition, the alternative sculpture and installation art area has also selected five large artworks, inviting the audience to have close contact with a variety of art media and themes; and there are many other highlights in the program, including Zheng Deen’s new work “That Day, We Picnic in Art” (2024), inviting the audience to picnic with local art and cultural practitioners to explore the function of art and how it affects collective and individual life; Yu Meihua’s new work “Taste Recitation” (2024), in which performers will tell and show stories about taste, and invite the audience to participate, add fresh elements to the performance, and cook up a brand new story.
Special mention should be made of the visual arts program – recent works from artists around the world will be showcased on the venue’s state-of-the-art LED wall, exploring the dynamic and creative nature of audiovisual media to delve into individuals’ imaginations of the future. Not only does it explore new art in the field of imagery, but it also showcases the latest works of avant-garde artists.
Ta Hwa Bank Art Space
As the chief partner of Art Central for eight consecutive years, Dah Sing Bank specially commissioned Hong Kong artist Au Wing Fung to create an interactive art installation “Mountain Beyond Mountain”. The work allows the audience to experience the impact of pollution on humans and ecology through the interaction of the installation and space, awakening the connection between the audience and nature, reflecting on the profound impact of pollution on humans and the natural environment. The “Dah Sing Bank Art Space” also presents the “Dah Sing Bank Ink Art Workshop”, where several renowned artists including Hon Yin Ting, Ng Koon Lam, Au Wing Fung, and Yung Tsz Man will lead participants to learn different types of ink art. There will also be an art dialogue titled “Crossing Boundaries: Ink Art Connecting Asian Cultures”, with two senior museum experts and art industry leaders, Kwok Kin Chiu and Mung Suk Kuen, as guests, discussing how ink art can become a cultural communication bridge between different Asian communities.
The workshop is open to the public, and proceeds will be donated to the local registered charity organization Wah Yan Bank “Art · Square” to support local disadvantaged communities in understanding and engaging with art, as well as promoting local art education work.
In addition to the exhibition, there are also different in-depth lectures where well-known figures from Hong Kong and overseas discuss cutting-edge themes and the latest trends in contemporary art; local artists and art professionals will provide specially designed guided tours for children; there are also free guided tours where professional guides lead the audience to share unique insights into the artworks; local educational institutions will bring special programs to the exhibition’s lectures and performances, welcoming participation and discussion to provide a rich and diverse program for visitors of all ages.
Through a variety of vivid art experiential activities and numerous rich programs, allowing the audience to participate and interact firsthand. At the same time, there is also the EAT CENTRAL food zone in the exhibition, bringing a series of gourmet experiences, providing visitors with a feast, such as Chôm Chôm offering dishes inspired by Vietnamese street food, Maison Libanaise with a vibrant Lebanese menu, Butter Cookies baking fresh classic American desserts, and Messina’s popular Italian artisanal gelato in Hong Kong; while illy and Soho House Hong Kong also present coffee and bar areas, offering thirst-quenching drinks.
As Art Central exhibition director Corey Andrew Barr stated:
The 9th Art Central
Date: March 28 (Thursday) to 31 (Sunday)
Address: 9 Lung Wo Road, Central (Central Harbourfront Event Space)
Art Central tickets are now on sale, for more information please visit www.artcentralhongkong.com.
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In the main exhibition area, there are also many key galleries, including Bonian Space (Beijing) and WAS Art Centre (Ningbo) presenting a group exhibition of young artists from mainland China, showcasing a dialogue with international artists’ works; Kvalitář (Prague) collaborating with four outstanding artists from the Czech Republic, including experimental painter and sculptor Milan Houser; and the stylistically innovative Spanish gallery VETA by Fer Francés (Madrid) presenting a group exhibition featuring art historically rich paintings, especially from the United States’ Theresa Chromati and Devan Shimoyama, Beijing’s Kang Haoxian, and Seville’s Cristina Lama; renowned Korean female artist Lee Myung-Mi and emerging artist Jang Ji Su appearing together at the PNC (Daegu) booth, also showcasing Hoon Kwak‘s paintings; Whitestone Gallery (Hong Kong) will exhibit works by Asian and international artists including Jiang Miao and Kongkee, in addition to innovative gallery displays.
Through various art projects, diversifying art forms, showcasing the works of a new generation of Asian artists, and artistic concepts from around the world.
「Neo」
More importantly, to highlight the purpose of the exhibition as a cradle for nurturing artists and galleries, a new gallery exhibition area called “Neo” has been launched, curated by Mr. Zheng Deen under the direction of the 2024 curator.
“Neo” covers galleries exhibiting emerging or undiscovered artists for the first time, with 11 galleries and 15 artists selected to showcase in the new “Neo” Gallery Zone, including BFM Art Center (established in Suzhou in 2021), biscuit gallery (established in Tokyo in 2021), Cub_ism_ Artspace (established in Shanghai in 2020), EYECANDIES (established in Shanghai in 2019), Gallery Palzo (established in Qingdao in 2010, and in Daegu in 2022), Gallery Project K (established in Seoul in 2021), PBG (established in Seoul in 2021), ThisWeekendRoom (established in Seoul in 2015), V&E Art (established in Taipei in 2016), wamono art (established in Hong Kong and Tokyo in 2016), and Warin Lab Contemporary (established in Bangkok in 2021).
Focus on Installation Art and Performance Program
Upon entering the exhibition hall, you will first be captivated by an elegant and magnificent red gown, which also marks the beginning of the exhibition.
This is a collaboration between Norico Sunayama and CHAT (The Mills Fabrica) on the world-renowned performance art piece “A Sultry World” (1995), presented for the first time in Hong Kong! Under her work, audiences are drawn into a wondrous space – where they can lift the hem of her red skirt and step underneath. She intentionally placed brushes and sketchbooks under the skirt, accompanied by the scent of lavender, to experience the boundary between public and private.
Artist Ho Sin Tung (born in Hong Kong in 1986) was commissioned to create a large art piece, which made its grand debut at the exhibition – a installation art piece titled “Shadow Strike” (2024). Her creative concept stems from her personal passion for martial arts, as well as the mental and physical discipline and awareness required for mastery of this practice as an artist.
In addition, the alternative sculpture and installation art area has also selected five large artworks, inviting the audience to have close contact with a variety of art media and themes; and there are many other highlights in the program, including Zheng Deen’s new work “That Day, We Picnic in Art” (2024), inviting the audience to picnic with local art and cultural practitioners to explore the function of art and how it affects collective and individual life; Yu Meihua’s new work “Taste Recitation” (2024), in which performers will tell and show stories about taste, and invite the audience to participate, add fresh elements to the performance, and cook up a brand new story.
Special mention should be made of the visual arts program – recent works from artists around the world will be showcased on the venue’s state-of-the-art LED wall, exploring the dynamic and creative nature of audiovisual media to delve into individuals’ imaginations of the future. Not only does it explore new art in the field of imagery, but it also showcases the latest works of avant-garde artists.
Ta Hwa Bank Art Space
As the chief partner of Art Central for eight consecutive years, Dah Sing Bank specially commissioned Hong Kong artist Au Wing Fung to create an interactive art installation “Mountain Beyond Mountain”. The work allows the audience to experience the impact of pollution on humans and ecology through the interaction of the installation and space, awakening the connection between the audience and nature, reflecting on the profound impact of pollution on humans and the natural environment. The “Dah Sing Bank Art Space” also presents the “Dah Sing Bank Ink Art Workshop”, where several renowned artists including Hon Yin Ting, Ng Koon Lam, Au Wing Fung, and Yung Tsz Man will lead participants to learn different types of ink art. There will also be an art dialogue titled “Crossing Boundaries: Ink Art Connecting Asian Cultures”, with two senior museum experts and art industry leaders, Kwok Kin Chiu and Mung Suk Kuen, as guests, discussing how ink art can become a cultural communication bridge between different Asian communities.
The workshop is open to the public, and proceeds will be donated to the local registered charity organization Wah Yan Bank “Art · Square” to support local disadvantaged communities in understanding and engaging with art, as well as promoting local art education work.
In addition to the exhibition, there are also different in-depth lectures where well-known figures from Hong Kong and overseas discuss cutting-edge themes and the latest trends in contemporary art; local artists and art professionals will provide specially designed guided tours for children; there are also free guided tours where professional guides lead the audience to share unique insights into the artworks; local educational institutions will bring special programs to the exhibition’s lectures and performances, welcoming participation and discussion to provide a rich and diverse program for visitors of all ages.
Through a variety of vivid art experiential activities and numerous rich programs, allowing the audience to participate and interact firsthand. At the same time, there is also the EAT CENTRAL food zone in the exhibition, bringing a series of gourmet experiences, providing visitors with a feast, such as Chôm Chôm offering dishes inspired by Vietnamese street food, Maison Libanaise with a vibrant Lebanese menu, Butter Cookies baking fresh classic American desserts, and Messina’s popular Italian artisanal gelato in Hong Kong; while illy and Soho House Hong Kong also present coffee and bar areas, offering thirst-quenching drinks.
As Art Central exhibition director Corey Andrew Barr stated:
The 9th Art Central
Date: March 28 (Thursday) to 31 (Sunday)
Address: 9 Lung Wo Road, Central (Central Harbourfront Event Space)
Art Central tickets are now on sale, for more information please visit www.artcentralhongkong.com.
