Hong Kong art galleries open for business despite coronavirus and Art Basel cancellation

Several art galleries continue to hold planned exhibitions despite the health emergency in Hong Kong. ‘We want to support our artists,’ one gallery says

In some cases viewing is by appointment only, and others have shorter opening hours. Meanwhile, government-run museums are set to reopen in March

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Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central may be cancelled, but it’s business as usual for many art galleries in the city keeping their doors open in spite of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, such as the Axel Vervoordt Gallery.

Published: 12:30pm, 19 Feb 2020Updated: 12:42pm, 19 Feb 2020

Despite the cancellation of two major contemporary art fairs – Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central – in March because of the coronavirus outbreak, it is business as usual, more or less, for many Hong Kong art galleries.

More than 10 art galleries told the Post their exhibitions are still on, although some have adjusted their opening hours or are offering viewing by appointment only.

Hong Kong government-run museums, including the newly renovated Hong Kong Museum of Art, are expected to reopen on March 3, according to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

“Despite all the negative news about the corona[virus] outbreak, we want to send a positive vibe to the art world and we want to continue supporting our artists,” a spokesman for Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Wong Chuk Hang said.

Bosco Sodi’s exhibition at Axel Vervoordt Gallery began on February 13. Photo: courtesy of Bosco Sodi

The gallery began its latest painting and clay sculpture exhibition, “A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, on February 13.