On March 28, the vibrant 2024 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will be unveiled within the vast Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), as well as across the city’s beloved museums and cultural institutions, on view through March 30.
On a sweeping scale not seen since before the COVID pandemic, 242 premier galleries from throughout the world will be placed in scintillating dialogue with each other as well as the multifaceted city. The Encounters category will envelop visitors in large-scale and site-specific artworks, Kabinett beguiles with thematic projects, and Conversations and Film programs spark meaningful connection between global artists and audiences.
“Art Basel Hong Kong is excited to announce our 2024 edition, returning in full scale with a warm welcome to exhibitors from around the world, including the 68 galleries that had taken a hiatus and 23 newcomers. Our goal is to connect guests from all around the world in our home, Hong Kong, by offering possibilities of collaboration and innovation inspired by art and artists. As the key strategic cultural hub in Asia and Asia Pacific, the city plays an important role, more than ever, in bridging the evolving art landscape across regions,” said Angelle Siyang-Le, Director, Art Basel Hong Kong.
Greg Ito, “A World Revealed,” 2023, Acrylic on canvas over panel, 60 x 48 inches; courtesy of the artist and Anat Ebgi.
Executive Director of Artspace Sydney Curates the Fair’s Encounters Platform
Encounters is meticulously curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor, Executive Director of Artspace Sydney, and 16 substantial projects—including 11 works made exclusively for the international event—evoke the thought-provoking theme, “I am a part of all that I have met.” Cutting-edge galleries such as kurimanzutto (Mexico City, New York), Galerie Chantal Crousel (Paris), Sullivan+Strumpf (Sydney, Melbourne), and Templon (Paris, Brussels, New York), and more will make a radiant appearance.
Presented by Kukje Gallery (Seoul, Busan) South Korean visionary Haegue Yang brings Contingent Spheres (2020, 2022), in which a captivating set of two humanlike ratan sculptures intermesh the concepts of Binakol—time-honored textiles of the Philippines. de Sarthe (Hong Kong) reveals the bespoke work of Hong-Kong based creative Mak2, whose Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy (2024) is a vivacious installation which bridges the tops of two fair booths to investigate replication and transformation.
Sydney-based Aboriginal artist Daniel Boyd spearheads the off-site Encounters debut at Pacific Place; With the support of Kukje Gallery and Station (Melbourne, Sydney), as well as partner Swire Properties, a dot-infused wonderland delves into history, individuality and remembrance.
Cindy Sherman Untitled #446, 1976/2005, Black and white photograph, 10 x 8 inches (framed); © Cindy Sherman, photo by Adam Reich, courtesy of the artist, Sprüth Magers and Hauser & Wirth.
The Kabinett Section Shines with 33 Galleries and Spirited Themes
The record-breaking 33 galleries within the Kabinett section—including Annely Juda Fine Art (London), Jessica Silverman (San Francisco), Yavuz Gallery (Singapore, Sydney), and A Thousand Plateaus Art Space (Chengdu—uplift the fair’s main booths with spirited themes and a spotlight on Asian-Pacific solo shows.
Hong Kong-born, London-based artist Cary Kwok, represented by Herald St (London), offers visceral ink and acrylic paintings which speak to Kwok’s study of Queer art history, home life, and relationships on film. Additionally, the paintings of late South Korean visionary Park Seo-Bo are displayed by Johyun Gallery (Busan), illuminating the distinct gestures and lyrical quality of the artist’s transcendent works.
Caleb Hahne Quintana, The Sound of a Setting Sun, 2024, Oil on linen, 55 x 72 inches; courtesy of the artist and Anat Ebgi.
Art Basel Hong Kong Offers a Comprehensive Film Program
The deft multimedia artist and film producer Li Zhenhua curates a fascinating film program of ten screenings—alongside creative collaborations with non-profit video art organization Videotage and prominent cultural video platform Nowness. Must-see screenings immerse visitors in the artistry of celebrated luminaries such as Chinese filmmaker Qiu Jiongjiong, Swedish artist Anna Uddenberg, South Korean creative Kimsooja, Hong Kong visionary Wong Ping, and German artist Anne Imhof.
Kiang Malingue (Hong Kong) brings the tender inquiries of Ping, whose Sorry for the Late Reply (2021) utilizes animation to unravel the complexities found within his personal notebooks— ultimately embracing the dreams and doubts of a city brimming with unique, human stories. Star Gallery (Beijing) shines light on A New Old Play (2021) by Jiongjiong, in which an illustrious clown memorializes the nuances of his existence in China during the stormy 20th century.
Pow Martinez, “spy vs. spy,” 2023, courtesy of Silverlens (Manila/New York).
Conversations Brings Together Cultural Leaders from Across the Globe
A riveting Conversations platform within the HKCEC auditorium is curated by Art Basel’s Asia Content Advisor and Editor Stephanie Bailey, with 11 panels uniting cultural leaders from more than 15 regions across the globe.
In collaboration with Art Week Tokyo, distinguished Japanese artists Shinro Ohtake and Takashi Murakami share insight into their individual bonds with the ever-evolving capital. Pi Li, Head of Art at Tai Kwun, moderates a panel discussion with collectors like Uli Sigg on reaching new heights in the extraordinary collection of contemporary Chinese art. A much-anticipated live taping of Crit Club, a tailor made performance developed by artist Cem A, asks “What’s more important, artists or artworks?” and engages creatives such as Jitish Kallat, Kara Chin, Steph Huang, and Wang Tuo in lively debate.
The vibrancy of Art Basel Hong Kong Conversations spread throughout the city this year as well as to Guangzhou and Shanghai. In January, within the UBS Greater China Conference, Art Basel Hong Kong’s esteemed Director Angelle Siyang-Le explored the future of digital art beside gallerist Simon Wang, artists Lu Yang and Wang Ziquan, as well as the Asia Lead for TR Lab Sylvia Wang. In addition, February brought Asia Art Archive’s dialogue to discuss alternative platforms New Park and Tomorrow Maybe with emerging and pioneering curators and artists.
Rosemarie Trockel Clock Owner, 2018, Ceramic, glazed, 8 5/8 x 2 3/4 x 4 inches; © Rosemarie Trockel and Artists Rights Society, New York, photo by Foto Mareike Tocha, courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers.
