Hong Kong’s warming up and if you’re keen to beat the heat and spend some time exploring the city’s cultural offerings, then don’t miss these up-and-coming events. Whether it’s an art fair you can actually buy from, or a block party with arty vibes, we’ve found a few of the best art happenings in town to check out in between all those junk boats and beach trips.
Thought all the art fairs were over? Think again. The Affordable Art Fair is back for the sixth year running, featuring over 115 local and international galleries exhibiting unique artwork that (you guessed it) you can actually afford. Marvel at the large-scale installations, take in some live performance art and browse the best of the city at the Young Talent Hong Kong Exhibition. The best thing about this art fair is that if you see something you like, you may just be able to walk away with it, with works ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.
When: Friday, 18 May – Sunday, 20 May 2018
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3D&E, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: From $120. Buy tickets here.
Celebrate local artistic talent and head over to Blue Lotus Gallery in Chai Wan for an exhibition that includes work from four award-winning Hong Kong-based artists (葉家偉 Alexis Ip, Daphné Mandel, Pete Ross, and Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze). From 3D to moving image, to the hyper-real and the imagined, expect an eclectic range of work, along with artists talks, workshops and even the book launch of ‘Concrete Stories.’
When: Saturday, 12 May – Saturday, 16 June 2018
Where: Blue Lotus Gallery, 1606 Chai Wan Industrial City, Phase 1 16/F unit 16, 60 Wing Tai Road, Hong Kong
How much: Free to attend
Do you like your art with a side of deliciousness? Then head to Wan Chai for BiteUnite’s ‘Art Block Party’, where you can take in the coolest Hong Kong photography as part of the ‘Bamboo Scenes’ exhibition while also enjoying authentic food from a community of bakers, professional chefs and home-cooks. What’s more, any money given at the door will go towards the fantastic Hong Kong based charity ImpactHK, which supports the homeless community.
When: Thursday, 24 May 2018, 6-10pm
Where: BiteUnite, 15 Lung On Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Pay-by-donation at the door, with 100% of donation going to ImpactHK. RSVP here (limited spots available!)
Looking for an exhibition away from the crowds of Central? Head out to Art Experience Gallery in Tsuen Wan to enjoy work from Japanese artist, Hiroshi Mori, inspired by manga culture, Japanese animation and developing technologies. This huge, old industrial space is a refreshing change from the small spaces in the city, and you won’t help but enjoy the fun, cross-cultural artwork.
When: Saturday, 28 April – Saturday, 26 May 2018
Where: Art Experience Gallery, Room 2009, 20/F, Cable TV Tower, 9 Hoi Shing Road, Tsuen Wan, NT, Hong Kong
How much: Free to visit
Francophiles will know that May is the month for all things French in Hong Kong with Le French May, one of the largest cultural events in Asia. With numerous events happening all over town, there are plenty of exhibitions to visit in collaboration with Le French May that we can’t wait to see. Among them is an exhibition at Hong Kong City Hall of 1960s pop art from the School of Nice, gorgeous collages by Antoine Rameau – a French artist living in Hong Kong, and photography that shows Hong Kong from a different perspective at Yellow Korner.
When: Throughout May
Where: Various venues throughout Hong Kong. Click here for more details!
How much: Free to attend
Featured image credited to @romainjacquetlagreze, image #1 credited to @affordableartfairhk via instagram, image #2 credited to @romainjacquetlagreze, image #3 credited to Elaine Li via Art Block Party Facebook, image #4 credited to Art Experience Gallery via Facebook, image #5 credited to Le French May