The art fair held in conjunction with Art Basel, @artcentralhk, opened its doors to the media today! Celebrating its 10th anniversary against the sparkling backdrop of Victoria Harbour, it showcases a more experimental cross-media art program, exploring the boundless possibilities of contemporary art. Let’s dive into the scene and uncover more artistic gems for you!
This year’s event, meticulously curated by Aaditya Sathish, brings together an artistic celebration featuring over 108 galleries from more than 40 countries worldwide. Not only does it highlight Hong Kong’s standing as Asia’s art hub, but it also showcases innovative curatorial concepts and cross-disciplinary collaborations. From classic art masters to emerging creators, interactive installations to digital experiences, Art Central 2025 officially unveils as the most anticipated chapter of Hong Kong Art Week.
Focus 1:
Key Installation Art Project
As soon as you enter the venue, the standout highlight is the large-scale installation piece 《A Brazen Rift (After Branzi)》 by Hong Kong artist Tang Na Tin, commissioned specially for the event. This work cleverly pays homage to Italian architecture master Andrea Branzi, while showcasing the artist’s unique interpretation of urban spaces. The installation presents a parallel display of the ceaseless crowds in the city center alongside the dynamic flow of people within the exhibition, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the liminal space between the two. This newly commissioned piece also highlights Art Central’s commitment to supporting Hong Kong art, demonstrating the innovative spirit and outstanding creativity of this mid-career artist.
One of the highlight programs — the sculpture and installation project — features works by Dai Ying from Yiwei Gallery (Los Angeles), Ting-Yen Mei from Art Star Art Center (Taipei), Roxane Revon from The Locker Room (New York), Shinduk Kang from Galerie Pici (Seoul, New York), and Mark Lawson Bell from Falling Goose Gallery (London).
At the UOB Art Space exhibition area, there is also an interactive ink installation by local artist Wu Guanlin titled “White Cloud Reflection.” Featuring 60 handcrafted white cloud sculptures arranged in the shape of an infinity symbol, it showcases a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity.
Focus 2:
Cinema Central Image Art Program
The specially curated Cinema Central at the exhibition is a dedicated platform for video art, showcasing selected works from the Akeroyd Collection. The Akeroyd Collection operates through its exclusive website, video screenings, and lending to international art institutions, allowing the video works in its collection to gain widespread circulation and exposure. Featured artists include Stephanie Comilang (born 1980, Canada), Rei Hayama (born 1987, Japan), Shuang Li (born 1990, China), and Robert Sandler (born 1991, USA). An exclusive one-hour screening will take place daily at Cinema Central.
The multimedia art program “On the Shores of…” delves into how contemporary networks foster interactions between people and information while creating a whole new world. Highlights include: Shu Lea Cheang (b. 1954, Tainan) presenting *Virus Becoming* (2022); Kacey Wong (b. 1964, Hong Kong) presenting *You Don’t Know Me, But…* (1998); Raqs Media Collective (est. 1992, New Delhi) presenting *The Bicyclist Who Fell Into a Time-Cone* (2023); and Riar Rizaldi (b. 1990, Bandung) presenting *Mirage – Eigenstate* (2024). These works provide artists and scholars with imaginative and unique perspectives that question existing narratives, challenging the public’s visual experiences and thought processes.
What’s even more special this year is the debut of an AI digital guide system. Developed in collaboration with Brushstroke AI, this exclusive app offers visitors a personalized exhibition experience.
Focus 3:
‘Legend’ Special Exhibition Area
To celebrate its 10th anniversary milestone, Art Central has specially curated the “Legend” themed exhibition, bringing together six iconic Asia-Pacific artists born before the 1970s to showcase the trajectory of artistic development over the past half-century. The exhibition highlights their significant roles in modern art history through various mediums and creative forms.
For example: Japanese art heavyweight Ay-O (Shiraishi Gallery) is renowned for his pivotal role in the Fluxus art movement. The late photography master Eikoh Hosoe (see+ Gallery) redefined the aesthetics of post-war Japanese photography through his surreal imagery. Australian artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye (Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery) offers a contemporary interpretation of Aboriginal art, with her artistic career—launched after the age of 70—soon to be celebrated in a solo exhibition at Tate Modern. Representative works of Asian contemporary art include Korean artist Lee In-sup’s (Suppoment Gallery) nature-inspired creations, Taiwanese avant-garde artist Dean-E Mei’s (Art Star Art Center) mixed-media installations exploring identity and politics, and Hong Kong media art pioneer Ellen Pau’s (Karen Weber Gallery) groundbreaking video works, which highlight her significant contributions to Hong Kong art education and community engagement.
This special exhibition area not only showcases the personal achievements of these artists but also highlights their significant influence in driving the development of art in the Asia-Pacific region.
Focus 4:
Performing Arts and Storytelling Performances
This year’s Art Central introduces the specially designed “Central Theatre” stage, unveiling the innovative art form of “Lecture Performance” for the first time. This groundbreaking format blends research, text, visuals, and physical movement, offering audiences an unprecedented artistic experience.
The curatorial team drew inspiration from Dutch conceptual artist Bas Jan Ader’s unfinished work, *In Search of the Miraculous*, to explore the intricate relationship between history, materiality, and the human body. Highlights include: Singaporean artist Foo Xiu Xian’s *in the shadow of the cosmic*, which delves into the connection between the cosmos and humanity through an emotive interpretation; Guangzhou artist Qin Xiaoshi’s *Between Landscapes II*, offering a fresh reimagining of the concept of space from a unique perspective. Hong Kong artist IV Chan’s new work, *Our Birthdays (uncut)*, alongside Xu Haolin and Wong Pak Hang’s *This Is the Limit*, reflects local artists’ innovative approaches to performance art. Singaporean artist Shavonne Wong’s *Conversations with Machines: When AI Is No Longer Just a Tool* explores the possibilities of human-machine interaction in the age of technology.
This groundbreaking crossover show not only shatters the boundaries of traditional performances but also creates an open and imaginative artistic space for the audience, showcasing the limitless possibilities of contemporary artistic expression.
Focus 5:
Special Features: “Studio Central” and “Art Community”
“Studio Central” transforms part of its exhibition space into personal studios for artists, capturing the familiar landscapes and vibrant energy of Hong Kong’s bustling communities. This project offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the creative process up close, immerse themselves in the artists’ distinctive work environments, and engage in real-time interaction with the artists. This innovative space has invited artists from both Hong Kong and Guangzhou to participate.
Finally, ‘Art in the Community’ showcases three groups of artists interacting with Hong Kong’s vibrant street scenes and daily stories, inspiring the creation of brand-new works. These creations will be displayed across various neighborhoods in the city, reflecting the authentic context of their artistry.
Of course, this year’s Art Central delivers a global culinary experience for visitors, spanning from the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese street food to the charm of French bistro cuisine, perfectly embodying the cross-disciplinary dialogue between art and gastronomy. During the event, several heavyweight talks will also take place, including the Robot Art Forum hosted by the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong, and a panel discussion by the Hong Kong Arts Centre exploring creativity, collecting, and cross-disciplinary connections. Meanwhile, UOB Art Space will invite several renowned ink artists to host workshops, promoting art education.
A five-day art festival—highly recommended for everyone to experience in person!
Art Central 2025
Date: March 26 – 30, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: 9 Lung Wo Road, Central Harbourfront, Hong Kong
