WHEN ART HISTORY lecturer Henry Au-Yeung quit his job in 2001 to set up a gallery dedicated to contemporary Hong Kong art, he'd never run a gallery before and local artists were hardly talk of the town. It was his students at Chinese University who convinced him of the need for such a gallery.
'I saw so many young artists there and yet there were no avenues for them [to continue their work after university],' says the 35-year-old. 'There was no one helping them and [they were] so desperate. After they graduated, they didn't know where to go.'
Today Au-Yeung's students have more options. Contemporary Hong Kong art is slowly gaining recognition in the local gallery scene, buoyed by artist communities in Chai Wan and Fo Tan, and supported by the likes of exhibitor Para/Site Art Space and research centre Asian Art Archive.
Au-Yeung's gallery, Grotto Fine Art in Central, is the first in Hong Kong to promote only local contemporary artists. But a number of smaller ventures, such as YY9 in Happy Valley and Too Art in Wan Chai, have emerged, offering better opportunities to young, local talent - and more affordable art to collectors.
Artists Carol Lee Mei-kuen and Alex Heung Kin-fung set up Too Art in the Hong Kong Arts Centre as an experimental gallery. The location has a double appeal: the proprietors appreciate the discounted rent they get from the Arts Centre, while clients appreciate the less intimidating atmosphere. 'People find commercial galleries a bit too high-class and daunting,' says Lee. 'Our location helps remove that psychological barrier to see what's available in the local scene.'
Too Art's exhibitions often feature between 20 and 30 artists - and the gallery just sold 14 pieces in one show. Prices are at the lower end, their record sale being $10,000 for a ceramic piece.
