Beyond Art Basel 2025: 5 Hong Kong events to check out during Art Week, from Kusama, Picasso and antiques at Sotheby’s and Asian artists at Art Central, to life-size insects at Pacific Place

The city’s art fans are spoiled for choice this Art Months: as well as Art Basel, there’s Art Central and 1880 Hong Kong, plus events at Sotheby’s, Pacific Place, The Upper House and Hong Kong Arts Centre

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This year’s Art Central features 108 galleries from around the world, showcasing a diverse selection of contemporary art, such as Lee In Seob’s Resonance of Time (2025). Photo: Handout

Published: 6:00pm, 26 Mar 2025

International art fair Art Basel Hong Kong is the catalyst for myriad events around town every spring, leading to March being widely known as Arts Month in the city. On top of that, the last week of the month is Hong Kong’s own Art Week – a much-anticipated event on the local calendar.

Though Art Basel is the main event, here’s what else not to miss this Art Week.

Art Central

This annual art fair has established itself as an independent sister event to Art Basel and an integral part of Art Week, offering a different exhibition experience with its location on the Central Harbourfront. From March 26 to 30, Art Central will feature 108 galleries from around the world, as well as a range of interactive experiences and culinary offerings.

These include Studio Central: a unique concept that involves artist and architect Maggie Chu, installation artist Tung Wing Hong, and Boloho, an artist collective based in Guangzhou. Each will set up their own art studio at the Studio Central booth, granting guests a first-hand look at their creative process as they draw inspiration from the landmarks and scenery, as well as their personal connection to Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods.

United Overseas Bank (UOB), Art Central’s lead partner for 2025, also has much in store for the exhibition, including an exclusive ink art installation by local artist Tony Ng Kwun-lun; a 2024 UOB Art in Ink Awards winners’ showcase; and Cloudtopia, where participants can create their own cloud-inspired artwork.

The F&B options are also exciting, as Art Central is working with Black Sheep Restaurants to present the Black Sheep Gallery at Eat Central, serving up bites from some of the group’s much-loved eateries: Vietnamese restaurant Chom Chom, izakaya Fukuro and Lebanese eatery Maison Libanaise, with gelato from Messina. Botanical Garden will be mixing drinks, and SoHo House Hong Kong will operate a pop-up bar.