STYLE FOLIO
The director of Simon Lee Gallery in Hong Kong talks to JING ZHANG about art shifts made by the pandemic, her vernissage style, missing-inperson interactions and the forever allure of Venice, Peggy Guggenheim, Rothko and Arte Povera
Yvonne Fong
When and how did you decide on a career in art? 1 studied fine art and art history in college. )fter returning to 0ong 3ong, 1 got the chance to intern at +hristie’s and /agosian /allery · these exXeriences furthered my interest in art and led me in the direction of what 1 wanted to Xursue in the field. 1n 1 Roined the 4ondon based ;imon 4ee /allery when it oXened a sXace in )sia.
How do you think fashion and art relate to each other as aesthetic industries and interests? Do you see that changing?
)side from sharing a Xassion for beauty, they’re both a form of exXression and very Xersonal. How has the Hong Kong art world changed in the last few years? ,esXite the social unrest and the Xandemic, 0ong 3ong remains )sia’s leading art hub and it’s still an attractive city to invest in. ?hat Sind oN outfit would you wear to a vernissage or big art dinner? 1 always go for an all white outfit · it’s clean and not distracting. Describe your style – and does the industry demand a certain type of style? For me, less is more. 1 liSe minimal effort that achieves maximum effect. 1 really enRoy fresh tonal looSs and relaxed chic, as they’re more low Sey luxe. 1n our industry, timeless designs are Xreferred · it’s the image of looSing Xrofessional but with your own style. What have you missed most during the past year in terms of the industry? 1’ve missed artists coming to 0ong 3ong to install new shows in our sXace. 1t’s always such a Xleasure meeting them in Xerson, discussing their worS and getting to Snow them more intimately. )lthough we’re thrilled to Xresent a solo exhibition of new worSs by the 8olish artist 8aulina 7lowsSa this month, unfortunately she won’t be able to come celebrate this sXecial occasion with us.