Art Central’s 10th edition has once again transformed Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront into a bustling hub for contemporary art lovers.

Running until Mar. 30, 2025, the fair cements its status as a must-see highlight of Hong Kong Art Week, offering a thrilling blend of gallery presentations, large-scale installations, video art, and live performances.

A Landmark Edition

“I’m glad to see Art Central’s decade-long commitment to the region’s art ecology,” said Curator of Gallery Presentations, Enoch Cheng. To mark its milestone anniversary, this year’s fair introduced Legend, a new curator-led initiative spotlighting artists born before 1970. It’s a fitting nod to both pioneers and less well-known artists who shaped the region’s artistic landscape during this time.

Spotlight on Photography

Photography takes center stage this year, with a thoughtfully curated selection that underscores the evolving power of the medium. Fu Yu’s poetic, dreamlike images at None Project C14 Gallery (Shanghai) and Chung Mong Hong’s cinematic works at Avocado Art Lab (Taipei) are among the highlights.

The section successfully elevates photography from mere documentation to a form of fine art with compelling narrative depth.

Standout presentations include works by the late Eikoh Hosoe, a Japanese photographer renowned for his haunting black-and-white images, and May Fung, a trailblazer of Hong Kong’s video art scene. The juxtaposition of these seasoned icons with the fair’s younger, experimental artists offers a fascinating dialogue between eras.

Cutting-Edge Creativity in the Neo Section

For those seeking fresh talent, the Neo section returns with 15 galleries championing bold, contemporary voices. Standouts include Areté Space (Beijing), FIM (Seoul), and New York’s The Locker Room, all presenting audacious works that challenge conventions. The fair’s commitment to showcasing emerging artists made it vibrant and unpredictable — a refreshing contrast to more polished, commercial fairs.

Show-Stopping Installations and Performances

Hong Kong artist Nadim Abbas’ large-scale installation A Brazen Rift (After Branzi) is a cerebral cornerstone of the fair. Inspired by Italian architect Andrea Branzi’s unbuilt designs, Abbas’ modular, cell-like structures serve as a poetic metaphor for the transience of urban spaces — while creating a striking visual anchor.

Live performances add another layer of energy and immersion, with experimental lecture-performances blurring the line between research and art. IV Chan’s Our Birthdays (uncut) and Shavonne Wong’s AI-driven performance Talking to Machines push creative boundaries, sparking dialogue on technology, identity, and the human condition.

Art Central’s partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board adds a distinctly local touch. Studio Central brought the city’s streetscapes into the fair, with artists transforming their booths into working studios, offering visitors a rare glimpse into their creative process.

Local Flavors and Culinary Delights

Those who need to refuel and recharge can head to Black Sheep Gallery at Eat Central, where you can sit and relax while enjoying Black Sheep Restaurants’ crowd-pleasers like Chôm Chôm’s Vietnamese bites and Fukuro’s Japanese izakaya fare. The chic Botanical Garden bar makes its debut at Art Central with craft cocktails inspired by British gardens.

Tickets are available on the event’s official website here. Don’t miss your chance to experience one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic cultural events!

To find out more about Art Central 2025, visit their website or Instagram and Facebook.

Location: Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central

Dates: Mar. 26 to 30, 2025

Opening Hours: 11 AM Onwards