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WOAW Gallery
Photograph: Courtesy WOAW Gallery

The 26 art hubs and galleries you should visit in Hong Kong

Looking to go gallery hopping? Here’s a list of our favourite places in town

Jenny Leung
Catharina Cheung
Written by
Jenny Leung
&
Catharina Cheung
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If you believe Hong Kong is a cultural desert when it comes to visual arts, think again! When you’re strolling around the heart of the city and exploring nooks and crannies around town, there’s actually art everywhere in our metropolis – as long as you know where to look for it. From art institutions that gather up-and-coming local talents under one roof to international galleries featuring works by established artists, there’s plenty to satisfy your cultural cravings. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a handy guide to some of the most interesting art spots to kick off your journey as a bona fide culture vulture.

RECOMMENDED: Check out our pick of the best art exhibitions in Hong Kong for inspiration and discover an abundance of incredible art

  • Art
  • Central

A collaboration between Japanese galleries Aisho Miura Arts and Nanzuka, Aishonanzuka specialises not just in Japanese art but also art pieces by established and emerging artists around the world. Works featured at the gallery often challenge norms by creating art that's original, thought-provoking, and visually impactful. Expect names like Hajime Sorayama and Nobuyoshi Araki gracing the walls of this gallery. 

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  • Art
  • Aberdeen

Following its first location in Mayfair, London, Ben Brown Fine Arts made its way to Hong Kong in 2009. Ideal for those with a sophisticated taste in art, the gallery has welcomed works by contemporary talents and 20th century masters, including the likes of Ron Arad, Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne and Vik Muniz.

  • Art
  • Aberdeen

With a primary focus on contemporary photography and image-based works, Blindspot Gallery is one of the largest gallery spaces in Hong Kong, located in the booming art neighbourhood that is Wong Chuk Hang. Representing and celebrating emerging and established local artists, the gallery hosts exhibitions by artists from Hong Kong and around East Asia.

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  • Art
  • Sheung Wan

Established in 2007, Blue Lotus Gallery is an independent gallery with a strong focus on photography and local culture. Some of the gallery’s biggest achievements include the rediscovery of local artist Fan Ho and the publication of Marcel Heijnen’s popular Hong Kong Shop Cats. Head to the gallery's online shop to discover an extensive collection of prints, postcards, and books by master photographers and emerging contemporary artists.

 

  • Art
  • Aberdeen

Current Plans (formerly Present Projects) is an experimental art space and shop founded in late 2020. They often showcase various contemporary art projects and produce art editions in collaboration with local and international creatives. They also have a concept shop that sells a range of limited edition products such as hand pinch ceramics, Tees, photobooks, zines and more.

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  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Tin Wan

Located by Aberdeen Harbour in Tin Wan and founded by Stephen Cheng, Empty Gallery is a one-of-a-kind space. What sets this gallery apart is that it’s almost pitch-black, like a cinema. Subverting the typical 'white cube' concept of art galleries, this space aims to present immersive and interactive exhibitions that could lead to some kind of full sensory experience of the works displayed. Get ready to experience art at a whole new level.     

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  • Art
  • Central

Here to make Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia’s leading art hub an undisputable claim is H Queen’s. Since opening in 2018, the building has welcomed many new additions to the Hong Kong art scene, including the first Asian outpost of fine art gallery David Zwirner and notable Tokyo-founded Whitestone Gallery. Established names in the local scene, such as Pace Gallery and Tang Contemporary Art, have also relocated to the building to take advantage of its massive venues that won't be hindered by columns and windows. 

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  • Theatre
  • Shek Kip Mei

Once a factory estate that housed the city’s cottage industries, JCCAC was given a new lease on life as a creative hub in 2008. One of our favourite spaces on-site is Lumenvisum, a non-profit art organisation that showcases local photographers and their refreshing perspectives on topics spanning from relationships with domestic helpers to LGBTI life in Hong Kong.

  • Art
  • Central

JPS Gallery is an independent contemporary art gallery that has been around Hong Kong's art scene since 2014. Dedicated to exploring fine art and pop culture in our new digital age, JPS puts on some of the most playful exhibitions featuring artworks of different mediums and disciplines by emerging and established artists from around the world. The gallery also actively contributes to the local art scene by sponsoring various charity events and auctions. 

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  • Art
  • Central

Originally founded by Gilles Dyan in Paris in 1994, Opera Gallery has established more than 10 locations around the world including London, Geneva and New York. Hong Kong's Opera Gallery is uniquely spread over three floors, where exhibitions could take over all three-levels of the gallery, or multiple shows running at the same time. The gallery opens daily, so you can drop by any time. 

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Central

Arguably one of the best galleries in town for urban art, Over the Influence has featured a slew of talents, including the likes of Jerkface, Shepard Fairey, and Cleon Peterson. The gallery has a strong focus on art that is radical and influential, whether through its form or message. A diverse range of contemporary art has been displayed here, with mediums ranging from street art and paintings to sculptures. 

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  • Art
  • North Point

Para Site is one of the most long-standing independent art institutions in town and continues to build on its success with countless showcases for both emerging and established contemporary artists. Founded in early 1996 as an artist-run space, Para Site was Hong Kong's first venue for the expression of contemporary local art – particularly relevant at a time when the city was preparing for the handover. The gallery hosts exhibitions and educational projects with an aim of forging a critical understanding of local and international forces in Hong Kong art and civil society.

  • Art
  • Tsim Sha Tsui

Perrotin manages to take the dryness out of fine art and inject plenty of fun into its exhibitions. Mixing urban cool with highbrow appreciation, Perrotin’s popular shows in the past have featured Kaws and his figurative characters, anime-inspired artworks by Mr., and the stunning works of iconic Japanese artist Chiho Aoshima.

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  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Wan Chai

Founded by artsy power couple Ysabelle Cheung and Willem Molesworth, PHD Group is an independent contemporary art gallery that focuses on emerging and mid-career artists from nearby regions. They are housed in a renovated rooftop space that used to be a private clubhouse back in the 1970s, which we think lends the venue an authentic, grounded touch that is different to the usual impersonal gallery spaces. The gallery is open by appointment only, so visitors can take in the artworks at their own pace without having to jostle with crowds.

  • Art
  • Sheung Wan

Soluna is a South Korean gallery that focuses on contemporary Asian fine arts and craft. They seek to revitalise multicultural aesthetics by showcasing artists who have traditional values in contemporary dialogue. Apart from a rotation of exhibits, Soluna is also involved in fairs, educational initiatives, and international collaborations, and has represented artists such as Raffaele Cioffi, Huh Sang-wook, Jeong Myoung-jo, and Javier Léon Pérez.

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  • Art
  • Sheung Wan

Founded in 2017, Streams Gallery often showcases contemporary art in various forms from paintings to sculptures. Both their Hong Kong and Beijing locations work with emerging and established artists locally and around the world to present exhibitions and collaborative projects that leave a lasting impact on their audiences.

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Sheung Wan

Tucked away behind Hollywood Road, near the trendy Tai Ping Shan precinct, Square Street has been focused on incubating emerging Hong Kong artists since 2021. They enjoy work that challenges the social, political, and cultural fabric of the contexts in which they were created – themes which are right up our alley. The gallery’s programme also spans artwork development and publishing, and they have worked with artists including Chan Ka Kiu, Sissi Kaplan, Hou Lam Tsui, and Annabelle Lau. They will also be exhibiting at Art Central this year, so stop by their booth if you’re going to be there.

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  • Art
  • Central

Our list simply would not be complete without this beast. Since Tai Kwun opened to the public in 2018, the revitalised landmark has consistently played host to a slew of art exhibitions featuring artworks of all mediums from across the globe. There’s no limit to what kind of creativity you’ll be facing on your next visit.

  • Art
  • Tai Hang

Housed in a 1930s Grade III heritage building, The Shophouse brings together art, culture, design, and lifestyle under one roof. With each floor dedicated to the works of various artists, it's a great place for art lovers to explore while visiting the charming neighbourhood of Tai Hang.

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  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Soho

Born of Young Soy Gallery, Vain Projects focuses on more established artists from around the globe. They don’t stick to a certain type of art or pigeonhole their roster of artists, but rather encourage evolution and intention in their curation of works. If you enjoy art pieces imbibed with radical, cultural implications, then check out Vain Projects to see what they’ve got going on. Some interesting artists that they’ve presented include Scotty So, Von Hyin Kolk, and Lily Alice Baker.

White Cube
  • Art
  • Central

This is the Hong Kong outpost of the famous contemporary art gallery in London which opened in 1993. White Cube also has locations in New York, Paris, and Seoul, but Hong Kong was their first space outside of the UK. Aside from their spacious two-floor gallery, there is also a library and private viewing rooms. White Cube Hong Kong has presented artists like Julie Curtiss, Léon Wuidar, and Bram Bogart, as well as Louise Giovanelli coming up very soon.

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  • Art
  • Central

WOAW (World of Amazing Wonders) Gallery is an expansion of its original space in Wan Chai that's all about bringing contemporary art to Hong Kong with a fresh perspective. Having previously hosted a wide range of shows with artists such as Koichi Sato, Anna Weyant, Same Friedman and many more, the gallery gives art lovers the chance to view various types of work that are also being shown in cultural capitals around the world.

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Sheung Wan

If you’re looking for art that’s appreciated by Hong Kong’s hip crowd, then Young Soy should be on your radar. They have one goal, and that’s to dedicate themselves to “the everlasting quest of discovering epic artists and delivering them to the masses”. We’ve always had a good time at their exhibitions, which are usually thought-provoking in an accessible way that’s not afraid to cause a few laughs. They’ve presented cool projects from artists such as Obsrvr, Louise Soloway Chan, Dominic Johnson Hill, and most recently Humchuk.

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