Art Basel Hong Kong features masterpieces by Park Seo-bo and others… Will the art market recovery continue?
Art Basel Hong Kong features masterpieces by Park Seo-bo and others… Will the art market recovery continue?
Art Basel Hong Kong, Asia’s largest art fair, opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday. The art market, which showed a moderate recovery last year, is being closely watched to see whether it can sustain momentum amid a global economic slowdown and investment sluggishness caused by the Middle East conflict.
According to industry sources, this year’s edition — which kicked off with a VIP preview on Friday — features 240 galleries from 41 countries, a scale similar to last year. More than half of the participating galleries are from the Asia-Pacific region, with 18 Korean galleries taking part.
In the main “Galleries” sector, Arario Gallery, Gallery Baton, Hakgojae Gallery, Johyun Gallery and Leeahn Gallery have set up booths showcasing works by their represented artists. Arario Gallery presents works by Lee Jin-ju, who delicately depicts scenes where memory and the unconscious, truth and fiction intersect, using traditional East Asian color painting techniques, alongside works by Baek Jung-ki and Park Woong-gyu. Hakgojae features works by eight artists including Nam June Paik, Yun Suknam, Song Hyun-sook and Chung Young-joo, curating a booth with pieces that transcend eras and borders. Johyun Gallery showcases works by artists spanning generations, including Kim Tschang-yeul, Park Seo-bo, Lee Bae and Kang Kang-hoon. PKM Gallery presents works by Yoo Youngkuk, Yun Hyong-keun, Lee Geun-min and Lee Won-woo. Kukje Gallery exhibits works by Ha Chong-hyun, Kim Yun-shin, Park Chan-kyong, Yang Hye-gyu and Jang Pa. Kukje Gallery also highlights the artistic legacy of Kang Seo-kyeong, who passed away last year, through the “Encounters” sector — which features large-scale installations placed throughout the venue — and the “Kabinett” sector, which presents solo exhibitions within gallery booths.
Art Basel Hong Kong features masterpieces by Park Seo-bo and others… Will the art market recovery continue?
In the “Discoveries” sector, which spotlights emerging artists, P21 presents a solo booth by artist Yoo Ye-rim. Through paintings and sculptures centered on an imaginary Neanderthal named “Peter,” the booth unfolds a narrative of imaginative excavation. Cylinder Gallery introduces artist Kwon Hyun-bin, while Gallery N/A presents artist Woo Jung-soo. In the “Insights” sector, where galleries exhibit works by only one or two artists, G Gallery (Woo Han-na, Yang Joo-hye), The Page Gallery (Han Jin) and Sun Gallery (Lee Jung-ji) will set up booths. In the “Echos” sector, which features only works produced within the past five years, Whistle Gallery participates with works by artists Hyunnam, Park Min-ha and San Jeong. Additionally, British gallery Herald St presents Korean artist Kim Sang-woo, who is based in the UK, in the “Kabinett” sector. Art Basel Hong Kong continues VIP previews through Saturday and opens to the general public from Sunday through Tuesday.