Art Central 2024 officially came to a close on Sunday, wrapping up Hong Kong Art Week with major success.
The ninth edition was a grand affair with a return to its iconic Central Harbourfront location for the first time since 2019. The Fair drew in crowds of artists, collectors, gallerists, and enthusiasts from all over the globe, boasting over 41,000 local and international visitors.
This year, we saw its most expansive and diverse programming yet with 98 featured galleries and 500 distinguished artists from Hong Kong and around the world curated by the Fair’s 2024 Curatorial Director, Enoch Cheng. The works presented encompassed performances, video art, and major installations alongside paintings and drawings. Art Central 2024 also celebrated the launch of Neo, a new sector highlighting first-time participating galleries and debuting artists or hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
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Lead Partner UOB presented Mountains Beyond, and interactive ink art installation created by Hong Kong artist Yau Wing Fung as well as winners from the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards and Painting of the Year from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Southeast Asian countries. The bank also held Art in Ink Workshops where over 250 people got to experience the beauty of ink art. The Hong Kong Tourism Board also displayed Hardworking Aesthetics and Arts in Hong Kong Newsstand by the city’s contemporary artists and a Greater Bay Area artist, highlighting the melding of East and West in Hong Kong and local aesthetics.
Keeping us fed throughout Art Central 2024 is Black Sheep Restaurants with five dining concepts at “Eat Central by Black Sheep” at its outdoor dining terrace, providing a space for guests to discuss the art they viewed while munching on good food. Soho House Hong Kong also hosted an exclusive bar within the exhibition space for any thirsty goers, featuring a mural by Hong Kong-based Japanese artist TAXA, curated by HKWalls.
Some of our favourites from the Fair include A Sultry World by Norico Sunayama, Ho Sin Tung’s Shadow Boxing, and Aries Wu’s solo booth, which sold out within the first two hours and became the first solo show to sell out this year. The colourful creations of Takashi Hara, the Captain Tsubasa-inspired works of Nobody Here, and Hansaem Kim’s mixed-media canvases depicting Dante’s Inferno also caught our eye, as well as Leenam Lee’s digital takes on classic works.
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“Art Central 2024 reaffirmed the Fair’s position as a cornerstone event of the contemporary art market in Asia, uniting international visitors with Hong Kong guests in a memorable celebration of art and creativity with significant commercial impact,” remarked Corey Andrew Barr, Fair Director of Art Central. “The tremendous turnout by local and international visitors underscores Art Central’s role as an essential platform for established and emerging contemporary artists.”
If you missed the chance to explore the Fair yourself this year, then be sure to check out our coverage and Instagram for recaps, Story Highlights, and curated artist interviews.
Images by Eric Hong, courtesy of Art Central.
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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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