Hong Kong, –Art Central and its Lead Partner, UOB, announce today the most extensive lineup of artworks, interactive installations, and programming in the Fair’s nine-year history as a cornerstone event of Hong Kong Art Week.
In collaboration with its partners, including UOB, Hong Kong Tourism Board, IWC Schaffhausen, The Sovereign Art Foundation, Black Sheep Restaurants, Soho House Hong Kong and illy, Art Central 2024 will feature – in addition to 95 participating galleries – an expanded offering of in-depth talks, large-scale interactive installations, and the return of its ever-popular dining terrace.
It has become one of the most anticipated events on the Art World calendar and a must-visit destination during Hong Kong’s annual celebration of the arts.
For its ninth edition, Art Central will return to its iconic location at the Central Harbourfront in the heart of the city’s Central Business District from 28 to 31 March, with an invitation-only preview day on 27 March.
Art Central 2024 is financially supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
UOB Returns as Lead Sponsor
As the Lead Partner of Art Central for eight consecutive years, UOB is proud to present Mountains Beyond, an interactive art installation by Hong Kong artist Yau Wing Fung, which has been commissioned by the Bank.
The large-scale installation offers audiences an exploration of the profound effects of pollution on both humanity and the natural environment.
By creating a dynamic interaction between humans and nature across space and time, the artwork inspires viewers to reflect on the impact that humans have on their surroundings.
As a long-standing partner of Art Central and a leading patron of the arts across Asia, UOB is committed to nurturing artistic talent and showcasing the works of artists from Hong Kong and beyond.
To facilitate artistic exchanges between Mainland China, Hong Kong, and ASEAN, the UOB Art Space at Art Central will present the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners’ Showcase and the UOB Painting of the Year Showcase. Winning artworks of the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards from Hong Kong and Mainland China, as well as works by the UOB Painting of the Year winners from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will be exhibited at the fair.
In addition to the exhibition, the UOB Art Space will offer the UOB Art in Ink workshops led by esteemed artists Rebecca Hon, Tony Ng, Yau Wing Fung, and Simon Yung.
These workshops will cover a variety of genres, including abstract ink, modern Chinese ink, experimental ink, and traditional Chinese ink.
The workshops are open to the public, with registration priced at HK$100 per person per session, and discounts available for children and senior citizens.
The proceeds from the Art in Ink Workshops will benefit the UOB Art Academy Limited, a registered charity in Hong Kong dedicated to promoting art and fostering art education for less privileged communities.
Pre-registration at https://www.uobartacademy.com.hk/workshop2024.en is required.
During the Fair, UOB will host a fireside chat titled Bridging Boundaries: Ink Art as a Catalyst for Community Connections on 31 March 2024 (Sunday), 2:00-3:30pm. Esteemed museum experts and art leaders including Kwok Kian Chow and S. Alice Mong will explore how ink art can serve as a cultural conduit between China and ASEAN, and as an important intersection between culture, civilisation and shared experiences.
Join the engaging talk with speakers who will share unique insights into the enduring and vibrant legacies of ink art, witnessing how it has shaped cultural identities and fostered mutual understanding, in the past, present and future.
Mrs Christine Ip, CEO – Greater China and Head of Group Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, said, “We are excited to present a captivating programme at the UOB Art Space within Art Central. This year marks a significant milestone for us as we broaden our cultural connectivity regionally, highlighting our dedication to nurturing creativity and strengthening culture connections within the region. Through the partnership with Art Central, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable future where art plays a vital role as a catalyst for growth, mutual understanding and unity.”
HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD
Celebrating the return to its iconic Central Harbourfront location, Art Central, in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, presents a creative project that brings together Hong Kong contemporary artists to emphasise the city’s unique character as an entrepôt – the longstanding position in mediating dialogues between the East and the West.
First, an exciting exhibition of Hong Kong artists, titled Hardworking Aesthetics, will bring together work by Olga Au, Natalie Chu, Lewis Lee, Silvester Mok, Orange Terry, and Liv Tsim to capture the city’s diversity as well as its versatility. Rooted in Hong Kong, these artists engage in insightful dialogues with the city, expressed through creative expressions and physical positioning. The exhibition also provides a platform for international exposure, allowing these artists to portray the essence of the city’s character to a global audience.
Additionally, Hong Kong Tourism Board will present Arts in Hong Kong Newsstand, an installation that highlights local aesthetics and the common ground where people connect and exchange ideas. This special architectural structure of this installation will showcase the dynamic and adaptability of the Hong Kong spirit. It will exhibit specially designed limited edition postcards of the artists presented in the group exhibition. Greater Bay Area artist Chen Fenwan has been invited by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to create a special artwork to respond to Hong Kong’s lively energy that will be presented at this installation.
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
For Art Central 2024, IWC Schaffhausen revisits Gérald Genta’s iconic design with the new Ingenieur Automatic 40, which is the main inspiration for its display at this year’s Fair. In the 1970s, an era marked by an all-embracing focus on the future, Gérald Genta created the Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832, as part of his legendary series of luxury steel sports watches with integrated bracelets. In line with a functional approach to design, the Ingenieur Automatic 40 is presented in a reduced and technical way. The collection is integrated into a large steel plate, allowing visitors to discover the sculptural beauty of the watches and learn more about their intricate manufacturing process.
THE SOVEREIGN ART FOUNDATION
This year is the 20th anniversary of The Sovereign Asian Art Prize, Asia Pacific’s most coveted award in contemporary art, which, as well as providing artists with international recognition and generous financial prizes, is an important charitable endeavour, raising substantial funds to support disadvantaged children by auctioning finalists’ artworks. To mark the occasion, The Sovereign Art Foundation has engaged a star-studded line up of previous Prize finalists and winners for an ‘anonymous exhibition’ at Art Central 2024. The project will provide an opportunity for members of the public to purchase original 25cm x 25cm artworks by over 80 professional Prize alumni and student artists for a donation of only HK$2,500 each. All artworks will be displayed anonymously and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The public will be invited to purchase a piece that they love, with the artist’s identities to be revealed only after the works have been purchased.
BLACK SHEEP RESTAURANTS
Art Central welcomes the return of Black Sheep Restaurants, who will present Eat Central with their unparalleled style of hospitality and offerings from five of their niche, thought-provoking, dining concepts. Visitors can indulge in Vietnamese street food-inspired dishes from Chôm Chôm, while Maison Libanaise serves up a vibrant Lebanese menu, along with freshly baked all-American treats from Butter Cookies, and scoops of joy from Hong Kong’s favourite gelato, Messina. As an Art Central exclusive, guests can enjoy a taste of Café Jean-Pierre, a casual rendition of Black Sheep’s next opening Jean-Pierre, which is set to make its debut later this year.
SOHO HOUSE HONG KONG
New to Art Central this year, Soho House Hong Kong will host an exclusive pop-up bar at the Fair’s Central Harbourfront venue. Curated by HKWALLS, the bar’s design and artwork are created by TAXA, an accomplished Japanese artist based in Hong Kong. TAXA’s artwork for the installation features a close-up portrait of a woman, framed by a veil of exotic flowers, including plumeria, hibiscus, and bougainvillea, representing Hong Kong’s natural surroundings.
This collaboration highlights Soho House’s commitment to showcasing regional artists, while TAXA’s unique style captures the essence of Hong Kong’s art scene, complementing the vibrant atmosphere of Art Central and reflecting Soho House’s artistic spirit. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the creative ambiance of the Soho House pop-up bar, offering a blend of art and an intimate social setting.
ILLY
Visitors can indulge in the exclusive illy blend while exploring the latest illy Art Collection, through which more than 30 years ago illycaffè turned an everyday object such as the plain white espresso cup into one of the most complete art collections worldwide. The new collection has been signed by Lee Ufan, an artist renowned for his pursuit of simplicity, who infuses his philosophy into the designs of this illy Art Collection, characterized by fluid lines and brushstrokes reminiscent of reductionist painting. Each stroke embodies Ufan’s concept of encounter, capturing the moment when brush meets canvas. Notably, the cups feature unpainted areas, allowing for a connection between the white porcelain and the artist’s creation. Coffee lovers sipping an illy espresso from a cup designed by an artist combine the aroma and flavor of the illy blend with a complete aesthetic, visual, and tactile experience, entering a relationship with contemporary art.
TICKET AND VISITOR INFORMATION
Tickets to Art Central are now available. Visitors are encouraged to book online in advance at http://artcentralhongkong.com/visit/tickets.
