What to See at Art Basel, Art Central, & More for HK Arts Month, March 2023

A month of (exciting) madness for Hong Kong, March 2023 is jam-packed with all sorts of large-scale arts festivities that simultaneously hearkens to good times past, whilst also aiming a hopeful glance at the future. Welcoming some of the world’s most influential arts expos, Art Basel and Art Central, the month is slated to draw in numerous VIPs, collectors, curators, critics, artists, and art lovers from around the globe.

On top of that, there will also be a range of fantastic arts activities that encompass all sorts of artistic mediums, as well as interactive opportunities. See our list below for a taster of what’s to come this 2023 ‘Art Month’ in Hong Kong!

Art Basel

Art Basel, the world-renowned art fair, is set to return to Hong Kong with an ambitious, full-scale program for its 2023 edition. With a stunning array of up to 177 galleries from 32 countries and territories around the world, it will be the largest show to take place in the city since 2019. All of the fair's special sectors, including Encounters, Kabinett, Conversations, and Film, will also be revived.

Encounters, the curated sector dedicated to large-scale works, will feature 13 large-scale presentations. The Conversations program is the fair’s dialogue section, and is set to feature over 85 speakers, offering the chance for international artists, gallerists, curators, critics, collectors, and more to freely intersect. Plus, eager members of the public can also opt to join in on discussions.

The Film program will include 29 video works and special screenings curated by Hong Kong-based Videotage and Ghost 2565, Bangkok’s triennial video and performance art series. Kabinett, the sector for thematic solo presentations, will have 15 galleries that lead with a focus on Asian art and on talent based in the region.

Finally, Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist has created a new moving image work named ‘Hand Me Your Trust’ that was commissioned by M+ Museum, which will be taking over the M+ Façade across the harbour in West Kowloon. Click here for more information on Art Basel.

When: Mar. 23 – 25, Mar. 21 - 25 (private viewings)

Location: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Buy tickets, Starting from HK$320

Art Central

The eighth edition of Art Central is set to be held from Mar. 22 to 25, running alongside Art Basel to together form the biggest concurrent art week event in APAC.

Esteemed artists from around the world will be showcasing their work, alongside the up-and-coming generation of talent from the Asian continent’s most innovative galleries. This provides an opportunity for museum quality artworks from more established names to be exhibited alongside cutting-edge works by emerging talent, across different mediums.

On top of the fine collection of galleries, the event also boasts the Yi Tai Sculpture and Installation Projects section hosting giant sculptural works that also encompass new media, moving image works as well as pieces rooted in new technology. Two especially curated presentations are being spotlighted this year, the first being Gwo Wai Curated Booths that consist of new projects taking a less conventional exhibition approach in display, and the Duk Dak Solo Presentations for emerging talents represented by solo artist campaigns.

Children may also enjoy Art Central by taking part in the interactive Spectrum of Emotion Workshop hosted by Soverign Art Foundation, to unlock their connection to their own emotions using art as a tool. What’s more, the Asia Society Hong Kong Center will be hosting a panel of talks under the theme of ‘perspectives’, serving to expand their dialogue with eventgoers. Click here for an overview of all the important programmes on offer.

When: Mar. 22 – 25, Mar. 21 (preview)

Location: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Buy tickets, Starting from HK$175

HKWALLSFestival

Painting the town red, and in other many vibrant colours, non-profit HKWALLS are taking to the city as a canvas to share grand works of graffiti as part of their annual street art festival. Making a comeback for its 2023 edition mid-March, the festival sees artists flexing their talents in the realm of street art and street culture on a series of blank walls all over the Central and Western neighbourhoods.

The 2023 HKWALLS Festival is an event with no holds barred. Set to welcome international artists for the first time since 2019, the line-up is a colourful list that includes names like Innerfields, Koga one, Mara, Lauren YS, Jurne, and more. Those keen to spot all the walled works old and new, can sign up here to join a free guided tour. Click here for more details on the 2023 Festival.

When: Mar. 18 - 26

Location: Central and Western District

Free

51st Hong Kong Arts Festival

The Hong Kong Arts Festival is celebrating its 51st anniversary this year and is one of the biggest, longstanding art events in Hong Kong. The festival has an impressive roster of artists, ballet troupes, orchestras, dancers, conductors, pianists, singers, and more, from both local and international backgrounds.

In addition to the regular performances, the Hong Kong Arts Festival hosts a number of specially commissioned works. The project No Limits in particular showcases talent from across Hong Kong with diverse abilities. The festival also includes programmes viewable from online, with performances beamed in from international performers and troupes outside of Hong Kong.

Whether you're a fan of live theatre, Western opera, classical piano or modern dance, the Hong Kong Arts Festival has something for everyone. You can register to purchase tickets for each individual performance on the HKAF website, with the venue dependent on the event.

When: Now until Mar. 18

Location: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong

Hong Kong City Hall Theatre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Buy tickets, Starting from HK$90