Art Central reveals its most extensive and diverse programme to date

From 28 to 31 March, Art Central 2024 will bring live performances, new galleries, large-scale installations and plenty more

As Art Central returns for its 2024 edition, the full breadth of its programme curated by artist Enoch Cheng promises to pack a punch, with a heavy focus on sensory exchange and encounters.

For starters, Art Central will host 95 galleries presenting 350 artists from 42 countries around the world at this year’s fair. A special focus is given to local talent as 50 artists are from Hong Kong (approximately 15 percent). In terms of solo presentations, Hong Kong artist make up eight out of 36 individual showcases across all sectors. Cheng tells #legend it was important to find galleries and artists with “distinct voices” for the event.

Speaking of local talents, Art Central will feature a specially commissioned installation project by Hong Kong artist Ho Sin Tung entitled Shadow Boxing. The large-scale artwork is inspired by the artist’s passion for martial arts, especially the discipline and self-awareness to master the sport.

There are also five large-scale artworks selected for the Yi Tai Sculpture & Installation Projects, Art Central’s platform large-scale installations and spatial interventions. This includes a rope and ceramic knots installation by Kyoto-based Korean artist Sangsun Bae; cast glass sculptures by Prague-based Rony Plesl; 3D-printed sculptures by Italian-born, Tokyo-based Andrea Samory; elegant steel sculptures by Egyptian-born British artist Sam Shendi recently revealed at London’s Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition; and a painting of apocalyptic-themed objects by Japanese artist Wataru Yamakami.

In the performance art category, there are three acts to take note of. Norico Sunayama’s world-renowned performance artwork featuring a perfumed red dress, A Sultry World, is to be a five-day durational event that opens the fair and tickles the olfactory senses with a “plant-based scent.” Scarlet Yu’s Planting Tastes will take the form of a live culinary presentation accompanied by story telling. Art Central’s curator Cheng himself will stage the Art-is-Here-Picnic, which is to be a picnic discussion on the function of art. The performance art draw from the theory of relational aesthetics, which Cheng explains is to turn something seemingly mundane and everyday into an experience.

Video art has been part of Art Central’s programme since 2021 and this year is no exception, accordind to Corey Andrew Barr, the fair director for Art Central. Works presented on the fair’s LED wall are by artists that are based worldwide, from Africa to Australia and Europe to East Asia.

Art education is always needed and appreciated. So a series of talks will be held, with some especially welcoming of university students. There are also specially designed tours for children, along with free tours for members of the public. 

This time, Art Central will be held at Central Harbourfront, instead of the usual spot for the last few years at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Art Basel Hong Kong is held. Barr calls this a “homecoming” for the event since the first edition was held there in 2015. The last time Art Central was held at Central Harbourfront was in 2019.

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Also see: Art Central returns with new sector for new exhibitors and artists