Hong Kong artists break loose from confines of market forces amid Art Basel
As big money changes hands at this week's Art Basel fair, local creators are putting their message ahead of any commercial considerations
All eyes are on art sales and international big names this week as Art Basel and its satellite fairs open in town. But Hong Kong artists are striving to counter the commercial force of the established Swiss-based show by offering their own narratives outside of the fair grounds.
The buzz of art fairs and influx of overseas collectors may have given them more exposure beyond Hong Kong, but some local artists are worried commercial demands could restrain creativity among the young, leading to works that please the market.
To keep the interest in local creativity going, artists based in Fo Tan Industrial District will host the annual Fotanian Open Studios this Saturday and Sunday for the second consecutive weekend. Visitors can browse more than 70 art studios.
Across the harbour, artists in Chai Wan Industrial City are also launching a "grass-roots" arts festival, Chai Wan Mei, this weekend. Organisers say they aim to offer the public an artistic experience outside a market context.
And at AJC Gallery in Central, Kacey Wong is displaying political art at his solo exhibition, "Art of Protest - Resisting Against Absurdity". On show is a collection of Wong's works that have appeared in protests since 2011, including the annual July 1 march and the 79-day Occupy Central sit-ins last year.
