The media already have in their possession the long list of the exhibitors that will participate in Art Basel Hong Kong this year. So far 239 galleries will come from 35 countries and territories around the world, more than half of them based in Asia and the Pacific region.

In this fourth edition of the Asian iteration of Art Basel, which takes place from March 24th to 26th, 28 galleries will participate for the first time, nine of them from Asia. Among them are some recognized names in the region, such as Yeo Workshop from Singapore, Gallery 100 from Taipei, Longmen Art Projects from Shanghai and Beijing’s Ink Studio.

Other debuting entries come from Europe and America, like the Cardi Gallery from Milan and London, the David Kordansky Gallery from Los Angeles, Galerie Jocelyn Wolff from Paris, and Greene Naftali from New York.

Fang Lu, Sea of Silence, 2015, Boers-Li Gallery

Insights is among the most anticipated attractions at the fair. This year, the section will be dedicated to the art of Asia, with artists from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Japan, mainland China, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Turkey. These group of talented creators is represented by 28 exhibitors. Nearly half of them will focus on modern art. The displays will include solo exhibitions, artistic, historical material of exceptional value, and thematic exhibitions.

Emerging artists are grouped in the Discoveries section with 24 exhibitors, five of which will be presenting for the first time.

The section called Encounters will showcase a set of large-scale installations and sculptures throughout the exhibition spaces. The project was curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor, currently executive director of Artspace Sydney. The Film selection comes from curator Li Zhenhua, director and founder of Beijing Art Lab, who will include a program of films and videos about artists created by the artists themselves.

Art Basel Hong Kong will also present For Whom the Bell Tolls: A Journey Into the Sonic History of Conflict, a project by sound artist Samson Young, the first winner of the new Art Journey award from BMW, an initiative to promote coordinated global art between Art Basel and the powerful German automotive firm.



Art magazines and publishers will be present in the Magazines section of the fair, showing their work in individual and collective stands and will have an active participation in presentations, lectures and debates.

Taro Nasu, Djordje Ozbolt, Les visiteurs I, 2014



Since 2013—and after Basel and Miami Beach—Hong Kong has become the third most important platform for the art market. While art fairs in Europe and America do not pay enough attention to the art of the East, in the case of Hong Kong the Asian presence is predominant, but always keeping in mind the prospect of establishing a dialogue with the aesthetic trends from the West. This quality has made the Asian fair an indispensable global art destination.

The importance of Asian collectors has been shifting gradually from China to Hong Kong due to more favorable sales tax conditions and the level of quality of the art presented. It is necessary to point out that we are talking about a place that has become the big door to the Chinese market, in addition to the superb urban infrastructure that offers a luxury venue for any event.

Thus, this coming March, Hong Kong will again show why it occupies a prominent place in the global art circuit. Amidst its skyscrapers, the best visual creations and the passion for collecting will be present once again. ■