Art021 Heads to Hong Kong for Inaugural Fair

Hong Kong will host Art021 Hong Kong, a new art fair affiliated with Shanghai’s Art021 and Beijing’s JingArt. David Chau, a co-founder of Art021, cites support from Hong Kong’s Mega Ace Fund for this endeavor. Chau aims to redefine the traditional fair model burdening galleries and collectors by emphasizing art itself through public installations and city-wide exhibitions as per a report by The Art Newspaper.

This year’s fair will spotlight Silk Road art, particularly from West and Central Asia, with small galleries presenting curated selling shows in subsidized booths. While local and mainland Chinese galleries dominate participation, Chau seeks to diversify by inviting Southeast Asian and Belt and Road country galleries.

Unlike mainland fairs, Art021 Hong Kong won’t conduct pre-exhibition political content reviews. Venue availability led to a summer schedule, but Chau plans to shift to autumn in subsequent years to align with Frieze Seoul. Although Western collector turnout is expected to be low initially, Chau anticipates interest from mainland collectors unfamiliar with Art Basel.

The decision to temporarily suspend their autumn fair Shenzhen DNA underscores their focus on consolidating the Art021 brand for recognition. Chau emphasizes their pragmatic approach, aiming to bring global contemporary art to Shanghai while fostering a stronger art appreciation focus in Hong Kong.

Head to Art021’s website for more information.