Art Basel Hong Kong 2023: Who, What & Where

After a two-year hiatus and a two-month postponement last year, Art Basel Hong Kong is returning to its usual slot with a bang, with a five-day event taking place from March 21 to 25. Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 177 exhibitors from 32 countries and territories will be presenting their exhibits, and with Covid restrictions being progressively lifted, there’s been a surge of interest from international visitors and collectors. 

From paintings and sculptures to films to installations, the fair will be showcasing the global artistic perspectives from Asia and beyond. One of the main highlights includes Hong Kong artist Wesley Tongson’s works which revolve around his splashed ink landscape artworks under Eastern and Western influences with his unique finger painting techniques. Presented by the city’s Galerie du Monde, the retrospective will highlight the late creative’s pieces from the last few decades. Gallery Vacancy from Shanghai will showcase American contemporary artist Sydney Shen’s work. Known for creating one-of-a-kind sculptures and installations using Chinese and Western medical apparatus and instruments as well as biological specimens, her uncanny yet intriguing works are not to be missed.

An array of Southeast Asian galleries will also be making a mark at the event. Richard Koh Fine Arts from Malaysia will debut painters Justin Lim and Yeoh Choo Kuan as well as contemporary artist Joshua Kane Gomes’ work. Nova Contemporary from Bangkok will be showing video artist Kawita Vatanajyankur’s The Scale of Injustice — an ongoing series that explores the continuing challenges of women’s labor. There is also Roh Projects from Jakarta that will present Indonesian artist Agus Suwage’s work which mostly revolves around self-portraits imbued with social and political commentaries.

Aside from the galleries, special sectors have also been brought back to further elevate the global art fair. Encounters, dedicated to large-scale works will be curated by long-time collaborator Alexie Glass-Kantor — the Executive Director of Artspace in Sydney. The 14 installations under the theme “This Present, Moment” are also made up of work outside of the fair. Local artists Trevor Yeung’s "Mr. Cuddles Under the Eave" and Jaffa Lam’s "Trolley Party" are some of the spotlighted works. Conversations revolving around the global art scene will cover topics including The Future of the Biennale, Reflections on Solidarity Beyond Feminism and more. Film — curated by multimedia artist and producer Li Zhenhua — will feature eight screenings and 29 video projects from global artists; last but not least, Kabinett which focuses on thematic solo presentations include a body of work that illustrates the research done in the mid-'50s to ‘60s by Art Informel master Hans Hartung, as well as a selection of works by designer and artist Martin Margiela.