The great thing about the annual Affordable Art Fair is that they’ve eschewed Hong Kong’s traditional Arts Month period, when the city’s biggest art events are all crammed into a week or so. Instead of struggling to decide which happenings to go to – and which to sadly give up on seeing – the Affordable Art Fair gives Hongkongers the choice of taking everything in at a leisurely pace.
For the uninitiated, the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong was founded to make art more accessible, approachable, and inclusive for everyone – divorcing it from the rich, exclusive, and snooty image that this sector has long been saddled with. They believe art is for us all and that everyone can become an art collector, which is why as the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong celebrates its 12th edition in our city, they’re gathering 99 local and international galleries to present art pieces that are all priced under $100,000. Read on to see what to look out for at this year’s fair, as well as how to choose the right pieces for your space.
The 12th edition of the Affordable Art Fair will return to its yearly home of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, running from May 22 to 25. See below for a detailed schedule of opening hours:
Fair passes for entry to the opening night and throughout the fair cost $340. There are also general admission day passes available for $195, as well as concessions available for senior citizens and full-time students for $145.
Family Morning tickets are available at a special rate of $180 each, which grants entry for one adult and one child – these must be purchased as a set of two tickets at the minimum.
This year’s lineup includes galleries from the UK, US, Australia, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, China, and many other global regions – all showcasing high-quality paintings, sculptures, and pieces that are priced affordably so visitors can take the first steps to building an art collection of their own.
Out of these distinguished exhibitors, keep an eye out for the Auntie Angel Store. Local artist Angel Hui has collaborated with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to create blue-and-white ceramic pieces inspired by our city’s traditional tuck shops. We’ve never seen treats like Chupa Chups lollies, ice cream, Vitasoy drinks, and White Rabbit candies reimagined in ceramic, and we bet you haven’t either.
In collaboration with the British Consulate General Hong Kong, the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong this year also presents GREAT Art, a dedicated zone that celebrates the vibrancy of British creativity and its cultural exchange with Hong Kong. A special collection from the British Council has been curated by local artist Wong Ka-ying, alongside works from leading British galleries and artists. Since the fair itself originates from the UK, it’s great to see the cross-cultural dialogue and rich artistic synergy that remains strong between the UK and Hong Kong.
With so many things to see, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so here are some Special Projects at the Affordable Art Fair that you have to visit before you call it a day. Li Shudan’s Fruit Market harks back to Hong Kong’s bustling marketplaces, featuring over 365 hand-carved wooden apples and other fruits. Pick through the fruit crates in a playful simulation of shopping in a traditional wet market – each piece of fruit is one-of-a-kind and they’re all actually available for purchase at $1,000 for two.
Jackie Case has created a performance piece that merges art and commerce, which we think is a perfect allegory for Hong Kong itself. The artist will sit within an installation made to resemble an ATM, and visitors can feed in prompts for Case to follow. This means that for just $300, any one can own a completely original piece of art! There is also a great photo spot with Xie Ke’s beautiful steel sculpture in the shape of the Chinese character for ‘love’. This minimalist piece is inspired by the artist’s own Hong Kong upbringing in its blend of Eastern and Western influences, and reflects the one universal emotion that connects us all.
After visiting Young Talent Hong Kong to explore works by emerging artists, don’t forget to also stop by the fair’s specially curated cafe, which offers a chance to unwind while admiring a series of illustrations of Hong Kong local neighbourhoods by award-winning artist Pen So. What looks like detailed, moody drawings of our streets and buildings reveals a deeper surrealism and nostalgia upon deeper observation.
Great question. Art experts agree that choosing art for your home is really a personal journey, but one that is very fun to undertake. Regina Zhang, fair director of the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong, recommends selecting pieces that resonate with your emotions and reflect your own style – this is what will ultimately give joy and meaning to any burgeoning collection.
Of course, it’s also important to think about how a piece would fit within your home. Hobby Limon, director and founder of TAG Fine Arts, says, “Consider the work outside of the gallery space, and try to broaden your horizons when looking for pieces; you never know which artists you’re yet to find!” Equally as important is selecting art that you actually love – or, as Limon puts it, “choosing with the heart” – and going for something you would want to look at every day, instead of what you think is popular.
This is why an event like the Affordable Art Fair is a godsend for those new to collecting because you can explore a wide variety of works across different price points conveniently under one roof. Once you’ve started a small collection, Limon also recommends cultivating relationships with galleries of interest, ones that will “take the time to understand your space and your tastes, to recommend the best works to you”.
Yes, there is! Making art accessible to everyone means that the Affordable Art Fair has also considered how to introduce even children to art. There will be educational art tours and workshops in collaboration with Art Loop, available for children aged four to 12. Skilled instructors will lead the little ones on gallery tours, hands-on projects, explorations of artistic styles, and more, and their mini art projects will even be showcased at the fair.
These special children’s sessions run four times daily and cost $250 per child. This includes a t-shirt, tour book, and art materials, and at the end of the day, they’ll get to take home their own floral paintings. Register and choose your timeslot here.
There’ll also be workshops for adults, including a one-off event with award-winning Hong Kong illustrator Kitty N. Wong, as well as a chance to create your own mixed-media botanical masterpiece while enjoying a glass of wine under the guidance of acclaimed artist Eleanor McColl – also priced at $250 per session.
If you’ve still got doubts about whether art is for you, then ponder no further! Art is most definitely for everyone, and this is your sign to visit the Affordable Art Fair 2025 and prove that you too can easily be an art collector.