Art Basel Hong Kong 2023. Courtesy of Art Basel.

Art Basel Hong Kong is set to return to its pre-pandemic scale in March 2024, featuring 242 galleries from 40 countries and regions across different continents. This represents a significant increase from the 2023 edition, with a 37 percent rise in exhibitors, marking a return to the fair’s 2019 numbers. Over half of the participating galleries have exhibition spaces in Asia, and the event will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from March 26 to 30, with VIP preview days on March 26 and 27.

The exhibitor list emphasizes the fair’s main sections, with 200 galleries featured in the primary sector, 22 in Discoveries showcasing solo booths of emerging artists, and 20 in Insights dedicated to artists from Asia and the Asia-Pacific region focusing on historical presentations.

While the 2024 show welcomes 25 first-time exhibitors, there’s also a notable absence of regular participants such as Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Sean Kelly, Goodman, and Marian Goodman. The return to a larger scale and increased global participation signals a rebound for Art Basel Hong Kong following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and previous political unrest in 2019.

Korean galleries participating in Art Basel Hong Kong include Kukje Gallery, Leeahn Gallery, One and J Gallery, PKM Gallery, Wooson Gallery, Arario Gallery, Hakgojae, and Johyun Gallery.

ART SG 2023, Singapore. Courtesy of ART SG.

Art SG, Southeast Asia’s largest art fair, is hosting its second edition from January 19 to 21, 2024. The 2024 edition will feature 116 galleries from 33 countries, a 30% decrease in participating galleries compared to the first fair this year. The organizers attribute the reduction to current economic and geopolitical headwinds, leading to increased shipping, transportation, and other costs for participating galleries.

Despite the slight scale reduction, the 2024 fair promises to be rich with content. Art SG, partnered with UBS, a global financial group and the second-largest bank in Europe, will collaborate with international and regional galleries as well as Singapore’s visual arts museums, private foundations, and galleries. Curated dialogues, large-scale installations, film screenings, and event programs are planned for the fair.

Jin Yee Young, Co-Head of UBS Global Asset Management Asia-Pacific and UBS Country Head for Singapore, mentioned a recent survey targeting high-net-worth global art collectors. She noted that 91% of Singaporean art collectors plan to continue attending art-related exhibitions in 2024, with the majority (71%) expressing optimism about the global art market in the next six months.

Korean galleries participating in Art SG include Gallery Baton, Gana Art, and International Gallery in the main section, while One and J Gallery, Page Gallery, and The Columns Gallery will be part of the Focus section.

References