ArtWalk
Mar 17, 5pm to midnight
ArtWalk celebrates its 10th anniversary next Wednesday, when more than 60 galleries and a host of local artists stage various art happenings around SoHo in Central.
Event organiser John Batten says the annual charity art event has expanded over the years not only geographically - there has been a 'migration' of galleries from Central to Sheung Wan because of the lower rents - but also in range, with Ben Brown Fine Art at one end of the spectrum and UFO Art Gallery - established last year to, it says, 'embrace low-brow art and subculture' - at another.
Galleries that are located outside Central can afford to be more adventurous with what they show, Batten says. The Upper Station in Sheung Wan, for example, showcases artists such as Yang Yongliang, whose work On the Quiet Water Heavenly City/Untitled 5 (right) goes beyond the decorative.
With such a diverse mix, ArtWalk also promises to be 'a great one-night experience' to see the vast range of art that Hong Kong's commercial and independent art spaces have to offer.
Art buying is only one aspect of the evening. As in the past couple of years, ArtWalk Extra also features work that doesn't necessarily come with a price tag including installation, video and performances, all of which will either be shown or take place around the participating galleries, including Shin Hwa Gallery which is exhibiting Kim Hyung Jin's A Man Who is Waiting for Someone (above). Artists taking part in this year's ArtWalk Extra include Luke Ching Chin-wai, Cedric Maridet, Magdalen Wong, Hei Ng Ka-chun and the Complaint Choir. Globetrotting British artist Kevin Hunt, who recently passed through town, will be the 'artist-out-of-residence'.
A group of young local art graduates will realise his installation based on instructions that he will send them from abroad. Susan Chan, an artist and illustrator, has produced the event poster with the line 'I'm not brilliant'. It is not as pessimistic as it may suggest, Chan says, as it could mean 'I prefer being ordinary' or 'what's wrong with being ordinary'.
Batten says a large part of ArtWalk Extra is to introduce 'young, good, solid and enthusiastic' Hong Kong artists to the broader audience. These 'satellite' events have been successful in the past, and he is now contemplating organising ArtWalk Extra activities throughout the year.
The Society for Community Organisation (Soco) - which will display student models of cubicle spaces commonly found in Sham Shui Po to raise awareness of this city's 'invisible people' - will again be the benefiting charity. A donation to Soco of HK$477,000 was raised from tickets sold for ArtWalk 2009. Since the first ArtWalk began in 2001, more than HK$4 million has been donated to local charities.
