HONG KONG – There are no immaculate white walls at the Asia Contemporary Art Show, nor are the big-ticket art pieces like Andy Warhol’s contemporary silkscreens or Damien Hirst’s provocative installations present. Exhibition booths are substituted with hotel suites at the JW Marriott, where paintings and photographs hang. Some rest on beds and by the windowsills, or are propped up by wine glasses. Many even lean against bathroom mirrors near mini bars.
Each hotel room conjures an intimate viewing experience at the show and there is something special about looking at artworks with Hong Kong’s skyline as a backdrop. It is also in this somewhat quirky setting that you might find hidden art gems and surprises, often with wallet-friendly price tags at around HK$20,000 (around $2,500)
“I think being the leading satellite fair at this time of year is a great opportunity for both galleries and visitors,” said Mark Saunderson, director of Asia Contemporary Art Show. “They get to experience the glitz of Art Basel and also visit the more engaging, intimate, and fun atmosphere of Asia Contemporary Art Show.”
Back for its second edition, the Asia Contemporary Art Show is one of the top satellite events of Art Basel in Hong Kong this year and has grown in size and expanded to a three-day event, hosting over 70 galleries from 16 countries including France, Spain, Korea, the U.S., Australia and, of course, Hong Kong. It runs from May 24 to 26 and spreads over four hotel floors.
The fair aims to promote works by young, emerging, and mid-career artists with affordable art pieces. The Gallery Eumundi from Australia, for example, has brought along a series of paintings on music and dance by Madeleine Ekeblad. The artist and her works, which are inspired by free musical rhythm and fluid choreographs (priced from HK$15,800 to HK$38,500 — $2,000 to $5,000), are new to the Hong Kong audience.
“I think it’s quite edgy and funky [to exhibit in a hotel room]” said Karen Beardsley of the Gallery Eumundi, who is exhibiting in Hong Kong for the first time. “It’s a bit of a gamble I suppose because it’s our first time here, but we’re very excited and hopefully there is a good mix of people here.”
Indeed, at the VIP preview on May 23, guests filled the hotel floors and crowded out the 74 participating galleries.
Of the 2,000 art pieces being showcased here, a majority of them are paintings, while some notable artworks are also available. At the VIP view, the crowd-pleasers included works by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami at suite 2803, Ai Weiwei at 2704, Pipp Todd Warmoth at suite 3023, and Sanzi at 2807.
The show is also playing host to the Hong Kong Art Prize, for which an emerging local artist is awarded for his or her submitted work. This year, 26-year-old Jims Lam Chi Hang won HK$80,000 ($10,000) for his painting “Beacon, Sheung Wan Hours - 01.05,” which is now showcased alongside a selection of shortlisted works at the Wheellock Gallery in Queensway, Admiralty until June 2.
“Asia Contemporary Art Show,” May 24 to May 26 at the JW Marriott Hotel. Tickets are available here at HK$240.