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Hong Kong Arts Month: Hidden art which only Hong Kongers know

Last Updated on 2020/10/31

Venture off the beaten track during this year’s Hong Kong Arts Month which runs from 1 to 31 March, away from the high profile gallery and exhibition venues in the city’s commercial center, to discover an eclectic mix of contemporary and street art.

Inside old factory buildings, on street corners, and shop security shutters – these are the hidden gems only Hong Kongers know.

On the south side of Hong Kong Island sits Hong Kong’s new center of style and creativity – Wong Chuk Hang. Your instinct might be to leave as soon as you arrive – but don’t be put off by first impressions. Behind the drab, grey, industrial façade you’ll realize there’s more to Wong Chuk Hang than meets the eye. It’s a cosmopolitan center for hipster creatives, where galleries, design, and fashion houses sit alongside stylish eateries, coffee shops, cocktail bars, and boutique hotels.

Patrick Lee is a photo artist who says the neighborhood’s a good fit for his work, “Wong Chuk Hang gives a much bigger perspective for me to work, in photography and installation as well,” he explains, “We should really relish the opportunity to enjoy what we have here.”

The new South Island MTR line opened in December 2016 so you can reach Wong Chuk Hang from Admiralty in under 6 minutes. This has cemented Wong Chuk Hang’s place within the South Island Cultural District (SICD). Home to 26 art galleries and studios, the SICD is Hong Kong’s foremost destination for contemporary art lovers. One of the SICD’s showcase events is the South Island Art Day which takes place during Hong Kong Arts Month on 23 March 2017.

To extend your urban cultural adventure, head to uber-trendy Central, Sheung Wan, an open-air gallery for one of Hong Kong’s finest collections of graffiti-art. The first HKwalls street-art event was held here – using storefronts and exterior walls as canvas for brightly coloured murals, created by some of the best local and international street art talent. And HKwalls also came to one of Hong Kong’s oldest neighborhoods – Sham Shui Po, which is famous for its street markets. Now it’s popular with visitors for its striking display of street-art which adorns walls. Wong Chuk Hang, the up-and-coming art district, also draws HKwalls’ attention. From 18 to 26 March, they will have a nine-day celebration of street art and creative collaboration there.

And as you would expect, during Hong Kong Arts Month there’s also a raft of spectacular world-class performances, exhibitions, art fairs to appeal to all tastes. Visitors can enjoy this at their own pace or join guided gallery tours to explore authentic local art scenes.  Performance lovers will delight at the 45th Hong Kong Arts Festival (16 Feb – 18 March) which will stage a thrilling combination of local and international performance artists. And at the world-renowned art fairs – Art Central (21 – 25 March) and Art Basel (23 – 25 March), art enthusiasts can rub shoulders with international collectors and curators to discover emerging talent exhibited alongside established artists.

Hong Kong mural
Hong Kong local artist – KristopherH’s mural, 36B Kweilin St, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, China, January 24, 2017. Venture off the beaten track during this year’s Hong Kong Arts Month which runs from 1 to 31 March, away from the high profile gallery and exhibition venues in the city’s commercial centre, to discover an eclectic mix of contemporary and street art. Inside old factory buildings, on street corners and shop security shutters – these are the hidden gems only Hong Kongers know. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Hong Kong street art
Colasa street artwork, which pays tribute to the King of Kowloon, 1J-B, Wong Chuk Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, China, January 24, 2017. Venture off the beaten track during this year’s Hong Kong Arts Month which runs from 1 to 31 March, away from the high profile gallery and exhibition venues in the city’s commercial centre, to discover an eclectic mix of contemporary and street art. Inside old factory buildings, on street corners and shop security shutters – these are the hidden gems only Hong Kongers know. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Hong Kong art month
A mural titled Bruce Lee by Xeva (South Korea) at the junction of Square Street and Tank Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China, January 24, 2017. Venture off the beaten track during this year’s Hong Kong Arts Month which runs from 1 to 31 March, away from the high profile gallery and exhibition venues in the city’s commercial centre, to discover an eclectic mix of contemporary and street art. Inside old factory buildings, on street corners and shop security shutters – these are the hidden gems only Hong Kongers know. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Factory D, Gee Chang Hong Centre, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
A general view of Art statements, Factory D, Gee Chang Hong Centre, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, China, January 23, 2017. Wong Chuk Hang is part of the South Island Cultural District (SICD). Home to 26 art galleries and studios, the SICD is Hong Kong’s foremost destination for contemporary art lovers. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Patrick Lee - Hong Kong artist
Patrick Lee, photo artist, poses for a picture at Art statements, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, China, January 23, 2017. Wong Chuk Hang is part of the South Island Cultural District (SICD). Home to 26 art galleries and studios, the SICD is Hong Kong’s foremost destination for contemporary art lovers. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Wong Chuk Hang art center
“Tis dark and darker still but dark no more” exhibition by Patrick Lee at Art statements, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, China, January 23, 2017. Wong Chuk Hang is part of the South Island Cultural District (SICD). Home to 26 art galleries and studios, the SICD is Hong Kong’s foremost destination for contemporary art lovers. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
A general view of Wong Chuk Hang MTR station, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, China, January 23, 2017. Wong Chuk Hang is part of the South Island Cultural District (SICD). Home to 26 art galleries and studios, the SICD is Hong Kong’s foremost destination for contemporary art lovers. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Bruce Lee mural
A mural titled Bruce Lee by Xeva (South Korea) at the junction of Square Street and Tank Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China, January 24, 2017. Venture off the beaten track during this year’s Hong Kong Arts Month which runs from 1 to 31 March, away from the high profile gallery and exhibition venues in the city’s commercial centre, to discover an eclectic mix of contemporary and street art. Inside old factory buildings, on street corners and shop security shutters – these are the hidden gems only Hong Kongers know. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
Hong Kong graffiti
Hong Kong local artist – KristopherH’s mural, 36B Kweilin St, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, China, January 24, 2017. Venture off the beaten track during this year’s Hong Kong Arts Month which runs from 1 to 31 March, away from the high profile gallery and exhibition venues in the city’s commercial centre, to discover an eclectic mix of contemporary and street art. Inside old factory buildings, on street corners and shop security shutters – these are the hidden gems only Hong Kongers know. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions
A general view of Art statements, Factory D, Gee Chang Hong Centre, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, China, January 23, 2017. Wong Chuk Hang is part of the South Island Cultural District (SICD). Home to 26 art galleries and studios, the SICD is Hong Kong’s foremost destination for contemporary art lovers. Mandatory Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board via REUTERS Content Solutions

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