In less than a decade, Hong Kong’s art market has matured into a certified powerhouse, growing into the third largest in the world, behind only New York and London. Art fairs and galleries have blossomed in the city–and the local art scenes thrive alongside them. Even the streets of the city are coming alive with art like never before.

In awe of Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki’s Liminal Air SpaceTime (2018), presented by Mind Set Art Center. This installation takes a once solid object and dissolves it into a kinetic sculpture, creating an illusion of air as form.
The success of Art Basel Hong Kong (now on its sixth edition) has led a host of other art occupying the city. Art Central is timed to coincide with Art Basel, but aims for a more Asian focus. The twice-yearly Asia Contemporary Art Fair is a far more intimate affair, set over four floors of the Conrad Hotel. Auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s have set global records, trading everything from rare diamonds, to Basquiat and Fernando Zobels too.
This year, Art Basel reported that the show brought together a global mix of galleries spanning six continents, and outstanding artworks by established and new artists from across the world. It has become a singular gathering of international collectors and institutions, many of whom are first-time visitors of the show.

Blurring the boundaries between public and private spaces, Chou Yu-Cheng explores the concept of hygiene, technology and the distribution of labor through sculpture, performance and recital in his installation titled: Refresh, Sacrifice, New Hygiene, Infection, Clean, Robot, Air, Housekeeping, www.agentbong.com, Cigarette, Dyson, Modern People. (2017)
“Art Basel drives the cultural agenda and art scene in Asia with its annual show in Hong, and attracts many collectors, influential curators and art lovers from across the globe,” said Pearl Lam, founder and owner of Pearl Lam Galleries in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. I couldn’t agree more.
Four leading galleries from Manila presented strong shows at the Art Basel this year, giving Filipino artists significant attention at the fair: 1335 Mabini, Artinformal, The Drawing Room, and Silverlens.

Utopian Cargo oil on canvas, 2017 by Manuel Ocampo. This work has been exhibited at the Pavilion of the Philippines at the 57th Venice Biennale last year.
I also spotted international galleries who were highlighting Filipino artists in their shows. Two of Manuel Ocampo’s artworks exhibited at the Philippine Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale, were highlighted at the show of Paris and Brussels-based Galerie Nathalie Obadia.

Artwork by Filipino artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, presented by STPI
Singapore-based STPI-Creative Workshop and Gallery, which specializes in artistic experimentation in the medium of print and paper, exclusively presented the works of Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan.

At the opening night of Altered Ego by Alfredo Esquillo, presented by J Studio at the Art Central. Left to right, artist Alfredo Esquillo, Melo Esguerra, Valentien Willie, and Jia and Gabbie Estella.
At the Art Central, it was a sold-out show on its opening day for J Studio, who presented a solo show of Filipino artist Alfredo Esquillo entitled Altered Ego.

Market by Fernando Amorsolo, oil on canvas, mounted on board, 1948. On sale at Sotheby’s.
Sotheby’s highlighted Southeast Asian Art at their First Look: Hong Kong Spring Sales. Rare artworks in color by Fernando Zobel were on sale, together with the works of Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya, Geraldine Javier, Pacita Abad, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Ronald Ventura, among others.
With FIlipino artists and galleries’ strong showing at the Hong Kong art fairs this year, I am so optimistic that we will be raising our game next year. Exciting times ahead for the Philippine artists, curators, galleries and art scene as a whole.
More photos from the exciting show below!

Melo Esguerra in front of Ulla von Brandenburg’s 7 Curtains, presented by Pilar Corrias and Meyer Riegger. This installation explores how stories and rituals of the past constitute present societies. Viewers are invited to participate in her temporary ‘soft’ architecture, by walking through large painted bamboo curtains that materialize their movements.

A rare artwork in color by Fernando Zobel on sale at Sotheby’s

Shapes and Squares (1970) by Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera

Artwork by Filipino artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan

Remembrance (2018) by Gregory Halili, presented by Silverlens Gallery

So happy to bump into actor and art collector John Lloyd Cruz at Art Basel HK. I can’t wait to see his growing collection.

A powerful artwork made of gun powder and ink by Cai Guo-Qiang entitled Project to Extend The Great Wall of China by 10,000 Meters: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 10 (in five pieces, on sale at Sotheby’s)

Crying by Geraldine Javier, oil and embroidery on canvas in four parts, executed in 2011

Flower Garden by Marina Cruz, oil on canvas 2016. On sale at Sotheby’s.
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