![]() ![]() Garcia Gil, who began collecting local art in 2014 when he established his Divide by Zero Collection, says the category now comprises one-third of his holdings. Jacobo Garcia Gil, who is originally from Colombia but moved to Hong Kong 13 years ago, acquired a work by Mak Ying Tung 2 from de Sarthe at Art Basel on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Patrick Sun.įor the many expats who live in Hong Kong, local art provides a tool to better understand their adopted home. They love the city, and they have this sensibility.” “Collectors buy works that they can connect with, regardless of where they come from,” he said. But for him, the value of Hong Kong contemporary art lies well beyond the market. The new price points may encourage those who never looked at Hong Kong art to finally pay attention, said collector Alan Lau, chair of local independent art space Para Site and co-chair of Tate’s Asia-Pacific Acquisitions Committee. I’m happy to see this burgeoning art scene of Hong Kong talents in all its manifestations.” “Perhaps this phenomenon is due to restrictions, or maybe it is a reflection of the under-representation of local art for a long time. “There have been many outstanding exhibitions on Hong Kong contemporary art in the past two years,” Sun said, citing last year’s “Next Act: Contemporary Art from Hong Kong” at Asia Society Hong Kong Center and “Luke Ching: Glitch in the Matrix” at independent space Para Site. Patrick Sun, whose Sunpride Foundation houses an LGBTQ+-themed collection, has been acquiring more work by Hong Kong artists ahead of a focused exhibition in 2022. Hong Kong architect William Lim and his wife Lavina recently donated their Living Collection, which traces the development of Hong Kong art since the 2000s, to M+. Meanwhile, the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District and art fairs from ART HK to Art Basel and Art Central have helped shift the narrative for private collectors. Courtesy of Christie’s.Īrtists and other creatives have historically struggled to maintain a presence in the city due to steep rents, but high-profile institutions such as the forthcoming M+ museum, the Tai Kwun Center, and the revamped Hong Kong Museum of Art-as well as new independent spaces and galleries-offer a growing number exhibition opportunities. The sale, however, set a new record for Hong Kong painter Yeung Tong Lung, whose painting Staircase (2011) sold for HK$625,000 ($80,514), nearly 3.5 times its high estimate.Ĭhris Huen Sin Kan, Haze, Doodood and Mui Mui in Shek O (2014). At Christie’s Hong Kong evening sale on May 24, works by Huen and Wong handily exceeded presale estimates, fetching HK$1.4 million ($177,130) and HK$30.2 million ($3.9 million) respectively. Over the past year, buyers set new auction records for work by Firenze Lai, Chris Huen, and the late Matthew Wong, who was born in Toronto but grew up and studied in Hong Kong. “Regardless, it feels like this is finally happening.” “Maybe this is a start maybe the ecosystem already exists,” says Angela Li, owner of the gallery Contemporary by Angela Li. Many dealers were pleasantly surprised to have sold to new Hong Kong-based clients. Even regional galleries from outside of Hong Kong, such as Vitamin Creative Space and TKG+, were presenting Hong Kong artists at Art Basel. The reduced presence of international players at two of the city’s most important contemporary art fairs, Art Basel and Art Central, meant more exposure for local players. “They are based in Hong Kong but come from all over the world.” Many of these buyers are young and specifically looking for work by local artists, Chan’s dealer said.Ĥ7 Canal’s booth at Art Basel Hong Kong 2021. “Most who bought my work are new clients,” the 32-year-old artist Chan Wai Lap told Artnet News. While blue-chip galleries such as Hauser & Wirth, David Zwirner, and Lévy Gorvy have achieved multimillion-dollar sales at Art Basel, work by Hong Kong artists was also moving quickly. Few Hong Kong artists have international gallery representation and international dealers rarely show work by local artists at their Hong Kong branches.īut after a year of lockdown-during which time collectors refocused their energy locally rather than flying around the world to see art-that seems to be changing. Despite Hong Kong’s role as a global financial hub and one of the world’s most important art markets, the city has not historically produced art that collectors consider highly valuable. Courtesy of the artist and Contemporary by Angela Li Chan Wai Lap, The Lonesome Changing Room at Art Central. ![]()
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