Immerse yourself in the city’s ever-evolving creative scene at ArtWalk, where participants gallery hop their way around the city.
Returning for a 13th year is Hong Kong’s most vibrant and sociable charity art event, where locals and travellers can immerse themselves in the city’s ever-evolving creative scene.
ArtWalk, starting at 4:30 pm on 18 April, invites participants to gallery hop their way around the city, taking in the multifarious works of established and emerging artists while partaking in complimentary refreshments along the way.
The 70 participating galleries are located in the established art districts of Central, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Chai Wan and in the new arts areas of Wong Chuk Hang and Aberdeen. A map with suggested walking routes is provided, as are free mini buses to transport people between galleries that are further apart.
Head to 3812 Contemporary Art Projects in Wong Chuk Hang to see Mind-Scape, a series by six talented artists from China and Malaysia of modern works (on paper and canvas, using ink, pen, charcoal, tea and oil paint) that explore the fusion of mind and landscape – a subject that has captivated Asian artists for centuries.
Schoeni Art Gallery in Central is focusing on just one artist. Chinese new-media artist, Yang Yongliang, whose work can be seen in London’s British Museum and Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria, will be exhibiting such recent creations as the Moonlight series, a powerful comment on the rapid urbanisation and modernisation of China that combines the traditional (classical Chinese painting style) and the modern (digital and video). What first appear to be tranquil scenes of Chinese mountains and valleys on closer inspection reveal digitally created metropolitan buildings and cityscapes.
New this year is ArtWalk Extra, where local creatives can take their art to the surrounding streets with one-off installations, video screenings, musical performances and photography displays. Look out for mixed-media artist Otto Li Tin Lun, who will design and create a sculpture on Central’s steep Shing Hing Street step, while maps created by City University students will be displayed on large banners in Central and Sheung Wan, highlighting nearby heritage and cultural sites.
Tickets are priced at 450 Hong Kong dollars and can be purchased from select galleries. A portion of ticket sales goes to the Society for Community Organisation, which provides for the needy and homeless.
Vicki Williams is the Hong Kong Localite for BBC Travel. She also writes sybariteunlimited.com.