Local Gallery Shows
Exhibiting everything from traditional black-and-white photography to conceptual artworks that investigate what it means to be human, Hong Kong’s homegrown galleries are pulling out all the stops this month
Don’t miss these thought-provoking shows at homegrown galleries
EMPTY GALLERY Tishan Hsu and Cici Wu
In the 1980s, Chinese-american artist Tishan Hsu was pushing the envelope with cyberpunk art that explored how emerging technologies affected art and humanity. Then, in the following decade, he disappeared from the public eye, only to reemerge last year with even more ambitious pieces. This exhibition features Hsu’s latest works, which were inspired by the artist’s research into his family history, some details of which were lost in Shanghai during the Cultural Revolution. Concurrently, Empty Gallery is also showing an exhibition of works by Beijing-born, New York-based artist Cici Wu. March 26 to May 25. 18–19/F Grand Marine Centre, 3 Yue Fung St, Tin Wan, 2563 3396. emptygallery.com
10 CHANCERY LANE GALLERY Stars Will Forever Be Stars
In 1979, a group of self-taught artists in Mainland China named the Star Art Group staged an exhibition after being denied permission by the government. The event was swiftly shut down by the police, but its impact has been undeniable. Kicking off celebrations of its 40th anniversary is this solo exhibition by sculptor Wang Keping, whose carved sculptures are the result of his deep fascination with wood.
March 19 to May 11. G/F 10 Chancery Lane, Soho, Central, 2810 0065. 10chancerylanegallery.com
KWAI FUNG HIN Zhang Gong
Chinese artist Zhang Gong is no stranger to blurring boundaries, blending East and West, traditional and digital media, pop culture and art history in his paintings. Through his works, he examines the radical changes in Chinese society in recent decades and expresses his hopes for the country’s future.
March 22 to April 27. G/F 20 Ice House Street, Central, 2580 0055. kwaifunghin.com
GALERIE DU MONDE Juan Ford: Blank
Through hyper-realistic paintings that depict post-apocalyptic and dystopian scenes, Australian artist Juan Ford takes inspiration from the Antipodean art canon in order to interrogate the relationship between people and nature. The colour white takes centre stage at this exhibition, which is the artist’s first solo show in the city.
March 15 to April 20. 108 Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell Street, Central, 2525 0529. galeriedumonde.com
ALISAN FINE ARTS Lui Shou-kwan Centenary: The Legacy of New Ink, and Women + Ink | China + Hong Kong
Chinese artist Lui Shou-kwan
revolutionised Chinese ink painting through integrating elements of Western abstract expressionism into his work, launching what would later be known as the New Ink Movement. Though originally from Guangzhou, the artist resided in Hong Kong for almost three decades until his death, making the city—alisan Fine Arts’ Central gallery, to be exact—a particularly apt location for this centenary exhibition. Meanwhile, the gallery’s Aberdeen location puts on a group exhibition showcasing the female ink painters Hui Hoi-kiu, Ling Pui-sze, Qiao Yuan and Zhang Yirong.
Lui Shou-kwan Centenary: The Legacy of New Ink: March 26 to May 4. 21/F Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 2526 1091. Women + Ink | China + Hong Kong: March 30 to June 1. 2305 Hing Wai Centre, 7 Tin Wan Praya Road, Aberdeen, 2526 1099. alisan.com.hk
EDOUARD MALINGUE GALLERY Ho Tzu Nyen
Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen’s video work deconstructs Southeast Asian history, employing music, lighting and cultural references to craft an ambiguous, dramatic style that prompts the viewer to question their understanding of the world. Ho also creates installations and multimedia artwork, such as the “dictionary” of narratives he created during his residency at the Asia Art Archive.
March 26 to May 2. 6/F 33 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 2810 0317. edouardmalingue.com
GALLERY EXIT Chris Huen Sin-kan
This Hong Kong-based artist reveals the beauty of everyday life with his detailed paintings. Shying away from grand ideas such as politics and religion, he believes that humanity is defined by simple moments, whether a walk through a field or contemplative silence in one’s bedroom.
March 29 to April 27. 3/F 25 Hing Wo Street, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, 2541 1299. galleryexit.com
BLUE LOTUS GALLERY Fan Ho: Portrait of Hong Kong
Famous for his moody black-andwhite photographs of Hong Kong shot in the 1950s and 1960s, photographer and filmmaker Fan Ho began looking through old negatives in 2015, rediscovering never-before-shown street shots that he decided to publish in book form. Following his death in 2016, his family and Blue Lotus Gallery completed the project.
March 22 to April 28. G/F 28 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan. bluelotus-gallery.com
BLINDSPOT GALLERY Lam Tung-pang
Perhaps best known for his large-scale paintings and drawings on plywood, Hong Kong artist Lam Tung-pang is concerned with collective memory and other issues related to human society, most often explored through depictions of the natural world. One of the founders of the Fotanian art collective alongside contemporaries Chow Chunfai and Wilson Shieh, Lam also creates videos, sound art, installations and mixed-media works.
March 26 to May 11. 15/F Po Chai Industrial Building, 28 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 2517 6238. blindspotgallery.com
PUERTA ROJA Visions in Motion
Puerta Roja, the only gallery in Asia to specialise in Spanish and Latin American art, is hosting a group exhibition featuring six artists who explore movement in their work. Among them are Carlos Cruz-diez, a Venezuelan artist considered to be one of the forefathers of the Op Art movement, and Laurent Martin Lo, who constructs delicate installations from bamboo.
Until May 4. 1/F Soho 189 Art Lane, 189 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, 2803 0332. puerta-roja.com