The largest international art fair in Hong Kong is back to its former glory for the first time since the pandemic, with organisers lauding 2024 as a “year of renaissance” for the city's art sector.

Art Basel will be held from Thursday to Saturday at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Organisers on Tuesday said the art fair will feature about 240 galleries from 40 countries and regions, with 65 more exhibitors than last year.

Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, said Hong Kong now has more museums, galleries and exhibitions.

“Notwithstanding the considerable challenges wrought by the global pandemic, Hong Kong's art scene has taken enormous strides in recent years, spurred by the vision and commitment of a local community,” Horowitz said.

“This unfettered growth in dynamism attests to Hong Kong's unrivalled standing as a cultural hub in the heart of Asia and as a pivotal gateway to the Asian market for the trade worldwide.”

One of the highlights of the fair will be "Contingent Spheres" by South Korean artist Haegue Yang, which features a set of two sculptures merging the visual codes of Binakol, a motif used in traditional textiles in the Philippines, and optical art in the 1960s.

And Hong Kong-based artist Mak2 has made an installation especially for this year's fair. "Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy" is a triplicate jest on copycat culture and the artist's work.

Meanwhile, local artist Siu Fong Yeung, who's taking part at Art Basel for the first time, said she hopes local artists will get more funding for their creations.

She told RTHK that the art field is very competitive despite the government's plan to enhance the arts in Hong Kong.

"This year's government budget did set aside a chunk of money for arts development, but as a young artist in Hong Kong, whether we can access those resources, is a question mark," Yeung said.

"There are too little resources, and too many people," she added.
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Last updated: 2024-03-26 HKT 22:30