Affordable Art Fair 2024 has officially begun! The Fair welcomes 97 participating galleries with all artworks priced below HK$100,000. It’s a prime opportunity for first-time art collectors and for up-and-coming artists to show their art to the world. With so much to see, where do we even begin?
Our team was on the ground yesterday on the first day of the art event. The air was buzzing with excitement as the crowd came in to see what the Fair had to offer. The Special Projects drew our curiosity, but plenty of the exhibited artworks caught our eye too. Get a first look into the Fair below and keep reading for our suggested route to make the most of your experience.
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The first thing you’ll see as you enter is Envisage, a 3D rendition of Keith Ancog’s painting of the same name, which you might recognise from the key visuals for Affordable Art Fair 2024. Heading left leads you to Special Project Ink Flows, a special exhibition on Chinese ink painting and how young artists are breaking out of the traditional confines of the art.
From there, you’ll spot a peculiar tree behind you. This tree is Season’s Change by Ewan David Eason, featuring lenticular leaves that change from green to orange, mimicking the change of the seasons. Continue onwards, and you’ll find the Young Talent exhibit, featuring seven local artists, each with their own style. Scott Chan’s figures were my favourites, depicting “gangsters” that, to me, look like they’re trying too hard to look the part.
Turning left will lead you to Ceet Fouad’s Chicanos Sin City and the Café area. Grab some drinks and chat while surrounded by his iconic chickens, which stand in for humans. Just ahead, you’ll find the Art Collector’s Lounge, with ChanBoo Jung’s Eco Post Paradise Project on display. Look closer at his signature bears, you’ll find they’re actually made of plastic straws, sending a message.
In the corner of the venue, you might be confused to see a barbershop. Don’t be fooled — this barbershop (where you can get actual haircuts, by the way) is a façade for Jonathan Jay Lee’s Neon, a speakeasy bar and an homage to Sham Shui Po. Inside, Kiyoshi Hoshimi-Caines, previously of Yardbird and RONIN, shakes up handcrafted cocktails for each guest. As you sip on your drinks, immerse yourselves in Jonathan’s rendering of our city and possibly meet the artist himself. Purchasing the add-on experience is required to enter, but it’s a unique experience you can’t find elsewhere.
Of course, the Special Projects aren’t the only thing worth seeing at the Fair. Following the route above will allow you to see almost every presenting gallery along the way. From paintings and drawings to photography and sculptures, there’s something for everyone here. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Editors’ Picks from this year’s Affordable Art Fair 2024.
Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong
Hall 1D&E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai
May 16 – 19
Images by Johanna Muliani. Featured artists include Rori Hee and Marica Fasoli.
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Written by
Johanna Muliani
Editorial Assistant, Dining and Culture
An Indonesian enamoured with the sights of Hong Kong, Jo is a curious spirit who loves telling stories with a focus on Art, People, and F&B. After work, you'll find Jo knitting, dabbling in gaming, and looking for where to eat next.
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