The Most Artistic Instagram Pages To Make Your Home Feed More Aesthetically Appealing

Scrolling through your Instagram home feed has certainly become a habit for almost everyone because it is certainly a great way of escape from our otherwise (usually hectic) schedule and it is an excellently-entertaining manner of keeping updated on the topics we follow.

If art happens to be one of your interests, then there are a couple of accounts that never fail to post eye-catching artwork that will not only have you admiring it but also have you pondering about its symbolism, story, and more. Perfect for art buyers and enthusiasts alike, these art accounts mimic the appeal of visiting art exhibitions located in different parts of the world from the comfort of your home.

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A post shared by The Pink Lemonade (@the.pinklemonade)

Pink Lemonade is an artistic account that captures the beauty in the absurd, and what may look bizarre at first look actually turns out to have a layer of meaning or sometimes even multiple purposes. Pink Lemonade perfectly brings its followers those fleeing moments and the incandescent beauty of nature while also highlighting the best contemporary art creations from painters, sculptures and more.

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A post shared by The Blue Lemonade (@the.bluelemonade)

Another account that is quite similar to The Pink Lemonade is The Blue Lemonade except it focuses more on sculptures and three-dimensional art pieces. In other words, this art page is more of a curation account for sculptures where people can find a mix of popular and underrated masterpieces and artists. Blue Lemonade keeps its captions short letting the pictures do all the talking.

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A post shared by Avant Arte (@avant.arte)

Avant Arte strives to get the younger generation more involved in art and the account does this by featuring artworks that appeal more to gen z but of course, millennials and other generations are going to find the art photos attractive too. Avant Arte has more than two hundred contemporary artists in its database each of whom has created and continues to create iconic artworks that will surely get more people invested in art.

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A post shared by Collecteurs (@collecteurs)

This art page, Collecteurs, believes that art should be accessible to anyone who has an admiration for it. As a result, Collecteurs allows its users to view more than thousands of artistic creations shared by collectors while also sharing their very own collections. Precisely, the website has built a community for art lovers and encourages its fanbase to discuss thought-provoking topics like one of their recent ones “Why can’t colonial museums simply return cultural artefacts?”

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A post shared by CONTEMPORARY ART COLLECTORS (@contemporaryartcollectors)

As made clear in its name, Contemporary Art Collectors cater exclusively to those interested in the contemporary art movement. While showcasing the works of many great artists, the page also simultaneously establishes the impact art has on culture and likewise how art will evolve in the years to come. It also brings attention to other important subjects in the art world like how whether we know it or not, art is an essential part of our daily lives.

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Want to admire art while also catching up with the latest happenings in the industry? Artnet is an unhinged source for it because the page does an excellent job of keeping its fans informed of important art-related matters from every corner of the world. Additionally, Artnet also helps people get a crystal clear understanding of different pieces of art through their commentary and explanatory essays written by experts.

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A post shared by Artsy (@artsy)

Artsy is primarily for art buyers and it boasts countless artworks by skilful artists from different parts of the world. In addition to being a haven for regular art buyers, it is also perfect for people who have a newfound interest in art. Each painting or sculpture is accompanied by a description of the work and its source exhibition letting art enthusiasts make an informed choice while purchasing the work.

Matters of the Art – Amid the ever-changing world of art, Adeline Ooi has stayed true to her heart

How does one represent the Asian art scene? According to Adeline Ooi, Director Asia of Art Basel, it has come a long way, but there’s still a long line to take. “The art scene is ever evolving, so it’s really hard to claim that this is it, we’ve made it,” she says. “But we celebrate each win and I think over the past 10 years, some of the most rewarding aspects of it is watching the art sector grow not only in Hong Kong but across Asia as well.”

With just six weeks before the official opening of Art Basel in Hong Kong [held from 23-25 March], Ooi takes a break in mid-February to talk about matters of the art and of the heart. Arriving in casual clothes and sneakers, it is evident that she does things by her own rules, bringing and selecting clothes from her own wardrobe for the photo shoot. “No heels for me, please,” she advises the production team.

Of Malaysian descent and raised by parents who worked in the plantation industry, Ooi confesses that her love for art was more slow-burn than an immediate fiery passion. Growing up in rural Malaysia, she wasn’t particular about what she wanted to be – as long as she didn’t end up in a 9-to-5 job. “Gosh, I wanted to be a flight attendant, because as a kid I thought that’s the only way that I’ll get to fly everywhere,” she says with a smile. It was only in her teenage years that she decided to study fine arts at Central Saint Martins in London and ultimately returned to Asia to pursue an art-centric career. Staying true to herself is an Ooi ethos. Although her parents first disagreed with her decision to build a career in the arts, she persisted, working at Valentine Willie Fine Art and co-founding the RogueArt cultural agency in Kuala Lumpur.

She was appointed as Director Asia for Art Basel on Boxing Day 2014. “Was it like a Christmas gift? I can’t really tell because it meant landing with my skates on. It was both scary and exhilarating,” she says.

For her, in hindsight, a media interview with someone from the art sector was not necessarily imaginable during the late ‘90s, and a sit-down one-on-one chat is already a big indication that the Asian art scene is progressing. She says: “This interview is already a big feat. I remember in my 20s, a job in the art world means you have to be willing to do it with hardly any or very little pay and everything was in DIY set-up. There were just fewer opportunities for us Asians in general.”

Art imitates Life

It is often said that life imitates art, but for Ooi, it works the other way around. “Art may not be for everyone, so it’s really hard to say that our lives are the main inspiration of art,” she says. “I think that is something that we all need to understand. More than anything, I believe that art really documents the human story.”

Looking at the etymology of curating, it is hard to imagine how it ever became the profession that it is now. It was only in the later years of the 20th century that the term curator was applied to exhibition makers, eventually becoming the title for some of the art world’s big players – Ooi now among them. Now in a globalised digital age, she is redefining her own profession as it evolves once again and how art fits within today’s creative scene. “I personally don’t believe in the notion that collecting art has to relate to a great investment. Sometimes we love something, but we don’t necessarily have to own it. The best way to experience art is in the chance encounters at a museum.”

(Interview by: Joseff Musa, Photographer: Jack Law, Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma,
Videographer: Jack Fontanilla, Hair & Makeup: Heti Tsang and Venue: M+)

Read the full interview in the April 2023 issue (pg: 100). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

Highly-valued Craftsmanships – The Latest Top Bids in the Auction World

A piece of painting, an automobile or anything that has an interesting story and history to it always becomes a priced possession and dominates in the auction world. To add to it, if the bidding item is completed with great craftsmanship, it is always bought for millions.

Passionate CLINCH

Woman sculptor inspired by ancient poem

Camille Claudel’s L’Abandon sold for £831,600 (about US$1.01 million) at a Christie’s sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in London, beating out two sculptures by Auguste Rodin, briefly her collaborator and lover, for the auction top spot. Cast in bronze by Eugène Blot in 1905, the work is hailed as the French figurative sculptor’s breakthrough. Born in Fère-en-Tardenois, a rural village between Paris and Reims, Claudel’s mother told her any desires to become an artist were ‘unladylike’. Her father, however, presented some of her early work to a neighbour: the sculptor Alfred Boucher. Impressed, he became the girl’s mentor, and following his advice, the family moved to Paris in 1881. Claudel enrolled at the Académie Colarossi – a progressive art school that admitted women. In 1886, she began working on L’Abandon, a sculpture of an embracing couple inspired by the ancient Sanskrit poem Sakuntala. Exhibited in plaster at the 1888 Salon des Artistes Français, it won an honourable mention. The critic André Michel praised its “profound feeling of tenderness both chaste and passionate, an impression of quivering, of restrained ardour”

Top table

Italian dining furniture attracts huge bid

A magnificent Italian ormolu, white marble and semi-precious hardstone-inlaid centre table went for a healthy US$1.5 million at the widely-anticipated auction of Modern Medici: Masterpieces from a New York Collection held by Christie’s. One of the sale’s shining highlights, this bejewelled piece of furniture is a prime example of early 19th-century Italian craftsmanship – an elegantly sculptured base expertly rendered in gilt bronze with a rich combination of chased and burnished surfaces, paired with a marble top inlaid with glorious coloured stones. The latter, circa 1800-1810, is the handiwork of Roman mosaicist Giacomo Raffaelli. Assessing the appeal of this rare lot, William Strafford, Christie’s Deputy Chairman, European Furniture and Decorative Arts, said: “The spectacular table is a fine embodiment of the art of pietra dura and sculptural gilt-bronzes. Its eye-catching top is inset throughout with rare samples of semi-precious hardstones, an attribute that saw the table hugely admired during an exhibition dedicated to this exquisite collection. We were thrilled that it was one of two lots that fetched the highest prices of the sale, selling for US$1.5 million to an anonymous buyer.

Church Record

Happy ending for looted Kandinsky

A bid of US$44.9 million at a recent Sotheby’s sale scooped up a masterpiece by Wassily Kandinsky, representing a new auction record for the artist. The painting, Murnau mit Kirche II (Murnau with Church II), originates from 1920 and encapsulates the beginnings of the revolutionary abstract language that would underpin the rest of Kandinsky’s career. The work was recently returned to the descendants of its rightful owners, the Berlin art collectors Siegbert and Johanna Margarethe Stern; Johanna died at Auschwitz in 1944. Auction proceeds are to be shared between the 13 surviving Stern heirs and used to fund further research into the fate of their family collection. Lucian Simmons, Vice Chairman and Sotheby’s Worldwide Head of Restitution said: “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the conference, held in Washington, D.C., that first established the ground rules for the restitution of artworks looted by the Nazis during the Second World War. Since then, Sotheby’s Restitution Department has worked with many heirs and families to reunite them with their stolen property and, at the same time, to help re-tell their stories and celebrate their lives.”

Bugatti blast

Frenzied bidding for last-of-its-kind supercar

A Bugatti Chiron Profilée, the last W16-powered car available from the famed French automotive atelier, has gone for nearly 9.8 million euros (about US$10.7 million), making it the most valuable new car ever sold at auction. It was the last possible opportunity to buy a new Bugatti powered by the legendary W16 engine – the only 16-cylinder engine in the world to be used in a car. With such an important piece of Bugatti history at stake, bidding was fierce. Marcus Görig, Car Specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “It was an honour for us to host this very special lot in collaboration with Bugatti. The sale of the Chiron Profilée was one of the most anticipated moments of the whole auction. With enormous global interest in the car, the Profilée attracted considerable attention at the auction among bidders and curious viewers who had visited to have a glimpse of this unique car.” Designed as a more radical version of the Chiron Sport, the Profilée took its name from one of Jean Bugatti’s first creations – a specific Type 46 model known as Surprofilée, with a sleeker silhouette and an elegant sweeping tail.

Also Read: Applauding Creations From Different Centuries – Auction Bids to Note

Everything you should know about ink art – its history and evolution

As the name suggests, ink art is artwork that is drawn and painted using ink. Ink artists usually use dip pens or reservoir pens for their paintings. It is an art form with a rich history, and while it has gone through so many changes and does not fit a specific mould, it does hold on to a tinge of traditional influence.

Turning your attention to its history and evolution, ink art is easily one of the oldest art forms, dating back to the Tang Dynasty [618 – 907AD] and the term was first coined by Chinese musician Wang Wei.

Centuries later, precisely in the 20th century, the rise of Western art made it essential for Chinese art to be preserved. It also sparked the Eastern vs. Western art conversations and other movements.

One such was the Hong Kong New Ink Painting Movement which was started by Lui Shou-Kwan in the 1960s. The movement saw ways to develop ink art by borrowing from its history and combining it with the things that artists learned from nature. Perfectly depicting this is Lui’s series of paintings called the Zen paintings which represented Chinese philosophy while also bringing some focus to Western ideologies.

Another prominent figure in the evolution of ink art is Taiwan’s Liu Guosong. He proposed that artists should give importance to traditional concepts and exude it in their work rather than being completely influenced by Western ones. He did believe that there should be a certain amount of western influence, and this was Liu’s way of modernising traditional Chinese ink art.

In his efforts to develop ink art, Liu introduced concepts such as ‘The Life of a Revolutionary Pen’.

Then, following the Cultural Revolution in Mainland China, Western art started entering the country and began strongly impacting the country’s art scene. This started the ’85-New Movement that focused on bringing prominence to ink art. During this time, Liu Guosong’s artwork was widely displayed in galleries.

After going through centuries of evolution, now in the 21st century, ink art has broken away from many confinements and has taken many forms including sculptors, digital art, videos, and more. Some contemporary ink artists to note are Nakatani Suisen, Zhang Xiaoli, Nan Qi, Lee Chu-Yi, and Tseng Chien-Ying.

Also Read: The Best of Art Central 2023 – The Most Iconic Artwork on Display

Face Time: Delightful dial styles for discerning haute horology investors and collectors

Through the ages, many of the finest watchmakers have frequently sought inspiration from the worlds of art and fashion. Typically, this has led to powerful graphic imagery being incorporated into the delightful dial styles of some of the most memorable high-end precision timepieces. At present, numerous such high-concept horological high points merit particular attention.

First up, there is the third watch in Chopard’s L.U.C Skull One series, an exclusive collection inspired by Día de los Muertos – Mexico’s infamous Day of the Dead festival. Available as a 25-piece limited edition, its bold, high-concept design embodies the marque’s hallmark creativity and innovation, while also remaining a prime example of horological excellence. Its centrepiece is a vivid, pop art-inspired Mexican calavera – the annual festival’s unmistakable skull motif – presented in bright flashes of colour and surrounded by a 40mm black beadblasted, DLC-coated stainless-steel case.

In essence, the L.U.C Skull One Calavera Pop Art is a striking blackened stainless-steel watch powered by an exquisite, hand-finished mechanical movement. Defined by its uncompromising and iridescent homage to the Day of the Dead’s timeless rituals, its dial features a transferred skull motif in punchy hues of blue, red, orange, green and yellow, giving the watch an unashamedly non-conformist, pop-art feel.

Second up is something of a departure for Hermès, with the forefronting of its new Super H brand hero motif akin to a horological Bat-Signal in the sky above a stunning graphic representation of Paris. The timepiece in question – the Slim d’Hermès Minuit au Faubourg – ably fuses the world of pop art with the French capital’s iconic skyline and is available in two limited edition series, each comprising 24 highly distinct, exquisitely wrought watches. The singular style of the range, meanwhile, is largely derived from a celebrated silk scarf designed in 2014 by Dimitri Rybaltchenko, an award-winning French artist.

On its highly distinctive dial, the Eiffel Tower stands out against a sky streaked with clouds and studded with aventurine stars, while a beam of light (fashioned from Super-LumiNova) projects out from the unmistakable monument. It is surrounded by a hand-drawn, micropainted embodiment of Parisian life, with its multi-layered rendering bestowing a grimy canvas-like finish.

Also Read: Spring Time – Stylistic Watches are a Motif for all the 365 Days

Equally enchanting is the fourth iteration of Roger Dubuis’ Urban Culture Tribe collection – the Excalibur Liu Wei Monotourbillon (MT). Keen to make this edition supremely special, the marque granted renowned sculptor and illustrator Liu Wei access to its fabled inner sanctum – the Manufacture itself. It was within its venerable walls that the much-admired artist set about reinterpreting the astral signature of the iconic Excalibur MT. Opting for a complex composite of multi-coloured lines, Liu delivered a stylised, bustling, digitised statement piece, which reinvented the original Excalibur MT as a beguiling blend of clashing colours and pulsing lights that uniquely captures the modern urban world.

Building on this, the brand then opted to enhance the hour markers with black SuperLuminova, creating a vivid glow-in-the-dark effect, which is most strikingly apparent under UV light. In a further refinement, the Roger Dubuis and Swiss Made logos have been accentuated with powdered SuperLuminova for the first time, an innovation that sees this element of the timepiece shift through three different colour variants – silver by day, green by night and blue under UV light.

Moving on now to something equally engaging for the lady who loves fine timepieces, the Vacheron Constantin Égérie collection, with its eternally elegant embrace of Haute Couture and Haute Horlogerie, was unashamedly conceived as a paean to discerning femininity.

Daintily engraved in the style of Burano lace, the dial of the Égérie Creative Edition sees five enchanting elements expertly superimposed to create a dial of rare distinction. Re-deploying an ancient decorative technique and executed by the marque’s master guillocheur on venerable 100-year-old equipment, the pleated tapisserie motif sits on a silver base, a fine counterpoint to the black enamel.

Commenting on the inspiration for the piece, Christian Selmoni, the brand’s Style and Heritage Director, said: “During the course of Vacheron Constantin’s long history, many of its finest timepieces have been inspired by embroidery and lace motifs, particularly those drawn from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras. More recently, lace has inspired our Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements – French lace timepiece combining guilloché work, Grand Feu enamelling and gem-setting.”

Finally, for this month, we turn to the Moonphase, Skeleton and Flying Tourbillon Pasha de Cartier watches. Developed and produced at the Cartier Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the first of these features a delicate moon-phase movement in the shape of a circle surrounded by a midnight-blue star-strewn planisphere, a striking contrast to the typically bold design of a Pasha de Cartier watch.

(Text: Neil Dolby)

The Best of Art Central 2023 – The Most Iconic Artwork on Display

The eighth edition of Art Central is certainly an artistic experience that art aficionados can hold close to their heart. From touching on ancient styles to pushing contemporary artwork that focus on topics such as modernisation, consumerism, globalisation, nature, and more, Art Central 2023 had more than 300 artists displaying their work.

Among all the works on display, below are a few of the iconic ones that you should see when you are at Art Central. Do be reminded that all the artwork are aesthetically appealing and unique in its own way, so you will probably end up spending hours exploring every single one of them.

An Aggregation-Space by Seon-Ghi BHAK

Korean artist Seo-Ghi Bhak made his interactive 3D art installation titled An Aggregation-Space, particularly for Art Central 2023. Leaning back to his acclaimed artistic tendencies to use charcoal in his work, the entire installation is made of a metal frame that has pieces of charcoals hanging on nylon strings.

Bhak’s choice of material reflects his love for charcoal and his intentions to spark a connection between humans and nature. As a result, he created the piece to mimic a maze that people can walk through experiencing each chunk of charcoal slowly moving as they pass, thus also provoking the ideology that art is a journey of transformations.

Prelude in A minor Trauma by Clara Wong

Clara Wong is best known for having a satirical tone in her artwork, and this one which she calls the Prelude in A minor Trauma also perfectly knocks on dark humour as she replicates a typical artist studio in Hong Kong through this work.

The young Hong Kong artist has voluntarily cramped the space with so many objects scattered all over the place to create a sense of claustrophobic emotion, and also reflect on the reality of living an oppressed life in Hong Kong. Some notable elements of Wong’s installation include a laptop with water dripping on it from a broken pipe, a birthday cake that has been cut, and a mannequin leg on a piano.

Also Read: Vibrant City: Hong Kong’s growing art scene

Blue Throat: Start the Churning (group exhibition)

Blue Throat: Start the Churning is a group exhibition bringing together the works of nearly 20 local artists whose artistic themes focus on the Hindu mythology Samudra Manthana. In this ancient legend, people churned the ocean with the belief that it will produce an elixir which will grant them the gift of immortality.

This group exhibition is a juxtaposition of the way even people living today are continuing to mess with nature through globalisation and modernisation. To further connect to the ancient story, the curators – Chris Wan and Jeremy Ip – have used a turquoise blue flooring that makes it look like the visitors are viewing the art pieces with the ocean surrounding them.

Glows in the Night by Yang Yongliang

Glow in the Night shows the intoxicatingly beautiful nights of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau. At the first glance, it looks like large-scale photography capturing a city’s landscape during the night. However, a closer look shows that it is a video with minute details that can be only noticed when you concentrate on each section of the canvas separately.

More like an art that comes to life under the magnifying lens, Yang Yongliang wants to divert people’s attention to the light pollution that is caused because of urbanisation and other modern developments.

reflective connections by Bev Butkow

Bev Butkow’s reflective connections is a touch-and-feel-the-art kind of installation that is made of materials that were collected locally. This includes “thread, wool, dressmaking scraps” and more that are connected together to form a floating sculptor that is hanging down from the ceiling. The soft sculptor supposedly mimics a fishing net that was just pulled out from the sea.

Moreover, the South African artist uses mirrors to elevate her art by playing with lights and reflections. Butkow encourages the viewers to have a tactile connection with her piece in order to experience the work as she intends it to be.

Art veteran Simon Ma’s vision of creating harmony through art

Hong Kong-born, Shanghai based, art veteran Simon Ma shares his vision of creating harmony through art with his recent travelling Drago Cavallo Exhibition

From a young age, you painted under the guidance of Chinese master Fan Tzu Teng. How did that shape you?
I was lucky to have him inspire me, and not just in painting. He also inspired me to become a good person. We believed that whatever you paint first comes from your heart, then flows through your hands – manifesting how we think and how we look at the world.

“Harmonise” is a word he always reminded me of. To harmonise with nature and with people, regardless of their background, whether they are rich or poor. This way, you allow yourself to view the world from all angles, looking at everyone and every situation from the top down, left to right and from front to back as well. He was my master in matters of the mind, too – an extremely kind and an open person, he believed that we should do charity work, with a pure heart – that is what would help one be a good painter.

For a time, you had your own company in Shanghai, Ma Design. What propelled you to make the transition from architect and urban planner to artist?

I started painting when I was seven years old, and I played music when I was 13 years old. After that, I attended boarding school in the UK and then studied architecture and urban planning at University College of London.

It’s hard being an architect. I prefer being an artist because I don’t have to just work for the client. As an artist, I can actually create anything I like, without limitations or boundaries. I started sculpting and exhibiting my work to the public in various locations around the world. To me, this is the more interesting part of art and creation, it is much more meaningful to me [than architecture. I put them there like an architecture but in miniature forms.

You recently launched a large touring artistic installation, Drago Cavallo, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Could you tell us more about this?

Winfried (Engelbrecht-Bresges), the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, called me and wanted me to come back to Hong Kong to do the Drago Cavallo – Travel Around HK exhibition as part of the SAR’s 25th anniversary.

We thought the city needed new energy, something to bring everyone in harmony. The mythical dragon horse (‘drago cavallo’ in Italian) is the spirit of China – one of the eight mythical beasts that symbolises inspiration; and I think people all over the world like horses.

I actually created these lovable Drago Cavallos during Covid-19 to give people hope and new energy. So, we brought back 10,000 Drago Cavallos and are planning on displaying a 25-metre-high Drago Cavallo next year.

I’m working very hard on this, trying to harmonise Hong Kong society – in different districts and also in schools, where students can paint Drago Cavallo and understand the spirit of the two animals (dragon and horse). The cool thing about this project is that it will harmonise society through art.

The Jockey Club has also been very supportive. We are also hosting a competition, and asking everyone to join the competition and try to set up one Drago Cavallo for each district.

“I prefer being an artist because you can actually create anything you like, with no limitations, no boundaries. This is much more meaningful to me [than architecture]”

You have a strong affinity with horses. Could you share with us why that is?
The horse is the most beautiful animal. They are energetic, international and always moving forward. They never complain though they can have a temper, too; when they want to, they just go. I see myself as somewhat of a horse whisperer. I go around the world, to places like Mongolia, to see horses. And when I find them, they are like my friends. You have to build a friendship with horses before you can paint them. I paint from inside them; I’m painting their vision.

You divide your time between your Hong Kong studio in Wong Chuk Hang and Shanghai. What differences have you observed between the two major cities?
I have been in China for 23 years. Shanghai is a very fast-growing city and full of energy. Whereas Hong Kong has stopped for the past three or four years; it’s actually becoming less international. If you look at the government in Shanghai and the local community, there is such a respect for art and its artists. But looking at Hong Kong, one might question how many good artists there are in the city. Shanghai, on the other hand, has so many ‘West Kowloon’s, not just one. And there are 20 or 30 more museums as well.

But Shanghai is not an easy place to survive in as an artist. You have to be very good at what you do, you have to be really good with people, and you have to be really good with the market as well. You have to be ahead of the market rather than follow it. We change because of our environment, but the environment doesn’t change because of us.

You have collaborated successfully as an artistic designer with international brands, such as Porsche and Ferrari. How did that come about?
I think these international luxury brands are looking for a Chinese artist who can connect with people internationally and locally. I understand both cultures – especially the Italian mindset, and I can instil Chinese art into their luxurious products harmoniously; it goes beyond just mixing two things together.

You’re also pretty active on Instagram. What value does social media give you as an artist?
I am encouraging my team to be active on all social media platforms because it’s better to share and let more people appreciate your art. Why keep art to yourself? Open up and let people see it.

“I am like the horse whisperer. I go around the world, to places like Mongolia, to see horses. And when I find them, they are like my friends. I’m painting their vision”

If you could go back in time and meet anyone from the past, who would it be?
My auntie, who passed away four years ago. She gave me my name ‘Simon’. And also, my master, Fan Tzu Teng. I would pay a million dollars to have dinner with them again, because as you get older, you realise the number of people you love gets less and less. Fan Tzu Teng is like my father. He had no son, so I was like a son to him. When I approached his body at his funeral, I knelt down; I knelt all the way to his body. There were a few hundred people there and they all stood up. This is the highest respect I could give to my teacher.

When do you get your best ideas?
I always get my best ideas when I’m having a shower. I feel light, like I’m being purified by water – and all my spirituality emerges.

Do you still play music?
I love music. I still have my band in China. I used to write music before I got too busy. I’m a left-handed drummer (like Phil Collins) as well as a singer. If you ever hear me sing, you’d be surprised. Music is my life. It helps to create good art.

Thank you.

(Interview by: Robert Murry; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jackie Chan; Venue: Simon Ma Gallery)

NFTs: Future of investment or another bubble waiting to burst?

The world is now divided into two types of people: those who invest in NFTs and those who don’t. As mind-boggling as it is, an increasing number of people now use digital currency to purchase digital goods – or rather the certificates that legitimises ownership of said items – without ever having to physically touch them at all.

culture-cryptocurrency-nft-blockchain--might-are-nfts-investment-hongkong-beeple — 5000 days NFT artwork by Beeple

NFTs have been around since 2014, but they were relatively low profile before the end of the decade. They really began sweeping the internet last year, when this novel technology went mainstream and disrupted industries across the board, especially the art world. The NFT landscape has rapidly evolved over the past 12 months, with more institutions around the world and some governments recognising cryptocurrency as legal tender and NFTs as strong investments.

Even a traditional international art auction house like Sotheby’s has launched its own Metaverse dedicated to NFTs and digital art. So, those few who still staunchly prefer cash in hand might just have to come to terms with this new digitalised transaction that is revolutionising the financial, investment and creative sectors.

Cryptocurrency and NFTs: What’s the difference?
An NFT (non-fungible token) is a unique digitalised certificate that entitles one, and only one, person to exclusive ownership of an asset. Cryptocurrency is a peer-to-peer electronic cash system, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Doge, used to purchase NFTs. Blockchain is the platform on which all cashless digital transactions happen. The process is calculated by a large group of computers and recorded publicly, but anonymously, on the internet to ensure everything adds up. This provides transparency and avoids human error or the risk of financial mismanagement.

Yet, the use of digital ownership tokens remains controversial. While championed by artists and tech-savvy investors, others are cautious, citing a volatile, unregulated marketplace. Environmental campaigners, in particular, decry the huge amount of energy they eat up. What does that mean for Hong Kongers looking to invest in NFTs? And is embracing crypto a positive move for society? We break down the pros and cons…

culture-cryptocurrency-nft-blockchain--might-are-nfts-investment-hongkong-shoutartgallery-andrewmok-offgod-exhibition — Andrew Mok’s debut solo exhibition at Shout Art Hub & Gallery, Hysan place

Democratising art and the value of scarcity
NFTs spurred a creative boom for developers and artists last year. Helping to democratise art, they allow creators control and ownership of their created content while also sharing deserved revenue, and offering involvement in a community of like-minded individuals. The key takeaway here is that NFTs are one-of-a-kind, non-fungible and certified original tokens of an object, whose value is dictated by the community, not an institution or an art market.

culture-cryptocurrency-nft-blockchain--might-are-nfts-investment-hongkong-james-jean-forager — NFT artwork by James Jean Forager

Pro: They certainly benefitted Hong Kong high schooler, illustrator and graphic artist Andrew Mok. Also known as Offgod, Mok is a cover artist for social media rappers such as Bella Poarch, The Kid Laroi, and the late Juice Wrld. He was invited to do an NFT exhibition – his first solo exhibition – at Shout Art Hub & Gallery in Hysan Place – a gallery dedicated to NFTs and digital art and providing global support for local artists. “Offgod’s skill is very mature and creative with his own style and he has over 200,000 followers on social media from all over the world,” says gallery founder Christopher Tang. “The feedback from the market exceeded my expectations. We sold every art piece by the end of the first week – and some pieces pre-sold before the exhibition opened, which for a [then] 17-year old local artist is a miracle.”

Con: Difficulties arise when talking about value and how volatile the NFT marketplace can be. Unlike stocks or bonds, there is no way of knowing the intrinsic value of an NFT investment. What makes a successful NFT largely depends on how the popularity of the brand is, and how strongly the community feels about it.

The scarcity principle used in economics, social psychology and manipulating consumer behaviour theorises that greater value is placed on items that are scarce or in low supply, but in the case of NFTs, it is perhaps the exclusive ownership of a token that creates value rather than the uniqueness of the object itself. Why else would crypto entrepreneur Sina Estavi pay US$2.9 million for Twitter CEO and founder Jack Dorsey’s first tweet?

Pushing the boundaries of technology

There is one thing that is undeniable about the technology behind blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and it is that it has pushed the boundaries of how society and systems utilise computers for the purposes of validation and verification. As evidence by the 2008 financial crisis following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, there is room for error and risk of mismanaging financial systems when regulators are in a position to control funds.

Pro: Blockchain technology is a complex system that allows for strong security since it acts as a shared, immutable ledger; it is almost impossible to hack, alter and manipulate because all transaction records are publicly documented, in contrast to transactions conducted on traditional platforms.

Cons: However, ideal and utilitarian the blockchain is in theory, without the middleman or an institutional buffer between consumers and retail, NFTs leave investors vulnerable. Their value is volatile, and there is still the potential for fraud, scam and theft during transfers within the NFT marketplace, despite the security of blockchain and the anonymity it allows. The process and language can be complex as well, especially for those new to the NFT scene.

If the goal is to truly democratise blockchain and the NFT market for the masses, the exponential growth will require an institutional buffer to aid buyers and investors to oversee the marketplace, as risk in their trade is still very much present.

culture-cryptocurrency-nft-blockchain--might-are-nfts-investment-hongkong-boredape — Bored Ape NFTs by Bored Ape Yacht Club

Future or fad?
Whichever side one stands on the debate of NFTs as the future of investment, there is no denying the good they have reaped for artists and creators, inspiring them to take the lead in how their own creations are presented in the market. Artists have been enabled to deal directly with buyers and control the revenue they earn, while building communities of like-minded individuals with the same interests, fostering a positive and empowering influence for creators.

However, there are fears that a new law that will come into effect next year will stymie the growth of cryptocurrency in the city. The new legislation states that virtual asset trading platforms will face regulations and be monitored through a licensing system to prevent illegal activities, particularly money laundering. This will undermine the main point of decentralising, but perhaps it is a middle ground both sides can come together on.

Christine Chan Chiu on AARRTT, NFTs and fostering cultural exchange between Europe and Asia

Looking to deepen a love and appreciation of art, Christine Chan Chiu’s AARRTT-istic platform is a game changer for Hong Kong culture…

gafencu-interview-christineciu-aarrtt-nft-art-platform-asia-hongkong — Christine Chiu wearing Proenza Schouler

You co-founded AARRTT. Can you briefly describe the concept behind it?
It was founded first and foremost to present one unified platform to have a curated selection of pre-filtered events and happenings in Hong Kong, within the region and beyond. So to find art, you wouldn’t need to click on like 10 different websites or google what’s happening or where the next biennale is taking place.

What led you to your love of art?
I was definitely influenced by my mother. She’s very artistic and creative. She was a docent for museums in Hong Kong. When we went on family holidays she would take me and my siblings to see art. As I got older, I had the opportunity to study other subjects but somehow I started taking art-history courses at my college.

I’m a very visual person and I love history as well, so it seemed to be the perfect fit. I also enjoy how art movements influence social and economic developments within a society. Art changes, it chronicles and records how we as humans react to those changes on both a personal and collective level.

“Art changes and chronicles changes – and records how humans react to those changes both on a personal and collective level”

Could you tell us what was the thinking behind the name AARRTT?
There’s an interesting anecdote behind that. When my business partner Krystyna Winckler and I got together, it was because of our love of art. And we wanted to pick a name that would reflect that. Coming up with the name was quite easy as we mirrored each other, both in our vision for the company as well as our values, upbringing, our kids, our family and even our name – although she’s French and I’m Chinese.

We have pillars. The first being ‘What to See’. We also have a city art guide that breaks the locations down into different districts and tells people where to go for gallery hopping or where to see the next best art shows. And finally we have an educational section, which is ‘What to Know’. Where we present topics we think are trending at the moment – from Chinese diaspora art to street art in Hong Kong, to how to build a collection. We hope that AARRTT platform will be a link to foster cultural exchange between Europe and Asia, as well as the rest of the world.

gafencu-interview-christineciu-aarrtt-nft-art-platform-asia-hongkong (3) — Christine Chiu wearing White caped shirt by Hidy Ng

What’s your take on the newly launched M+ Museum?
It’s fantastic. The whole team has done an amazing job and it does Hong Kong proud. Doryun Chong, the chief curator, has done a terrific job of presenting such a diverse range of thematic exhibitions. We’ve all been waiting so long to see the Sigg Collections, from Revolution to Globalisation. I don’t think any of us have seen such a large collection of Chinese art before. It’s quite phenomenal and had to be curated in such a way that it provides the artworks with context and is understood within the history of China at that time.

gafencu-interview-christineciu-aarrtt-nft-art-platform-asia-hongkong (2) — Christine Chiu wearing Jacket and pants by Maje

You source NFT artworks for Q9 Capital and exhibit them at the Q9 Hub space. For someone new to digital art, can you elaborate a little on what this involves?
It’s been quite a steep learning curve for me as well, having to learn about NFTs. What is involved at the Q9 Hub is to forge partnerships with market places, art fairs, as well as art platforms. It’s also involved learning about blockchain and the metaverse and what digital art really is.

For any beginner to any sort of art, including NFTs, the first thing you have to do is to do your research, your due diligence, to find out exactly what sort of digital art you want to collect. Also, because with NFTs, there so many different kinds. If you’re looking for NFT art, that’s very different from looking for NFTs with utility in the metaverse. And that too is very different from looking for PFPs (profile photos), the avatars that a lot of people have – such as profile photos on WhatsApp and Facebook. Those all have very different functions and purposes from each other. So before you buy an NFT, you should think carefully about what type you want to collect.

“For any beginner new to NFTs, the first thing is to do your due diligence. To find out exactly what sort of digital art you want to collect”

You were Vice-chair of Fundraising for Operation Smile Greater China for five years, as well as the Sheen Hok Charitable Foundation. What did that entail?
Both charities provide medical attention and support to the underprivileged and those in need. Op-Smile was specifically for those born with facial deformities such as cleft lips and palates. I am very lucky to have friends in the art world who are willing to donate artworks for the annual fundraiser. Last year, we had a Xu Hongfei sculpture that was donated by an anonymous donor that was auctioned for more than twice its original estimate.

gafencu-interview-christineciu-aarrtt-nft-art-platform-asia-hongkong (4) — Christine Chiu wearing Blazer by Vivienne Tam

You have a BA in History in French Literature. Who are your favourite writers (especially French) and why?
The first writer that comes to mind is Baudelaire because his works are romantic and melancholic, and his use of language evokes a lot of nostalgia and longing. Then, I also thought of (Albert) Camus. The way he captures that nonchalance and malaise so well.

The other author I thought of is Gertrude Stein. Even though she’s not French, she lived in France for a long time. She was such a trailblazer, and also a collector. What I loved most, is that in her work, she also talks about her experiences living in pre-second-world-war Paris and meeting all those great artists, like Matisse. Her home was the kind of a salon where everyone gathered.

If you could go back in time and meet anyone from the past, who would it be?
That’s a no brainer – Eleanor d’Aquitane. I’m a history buff and she lived in the Middle Ages, which to me was a fascinating period in history. She was a queen but she lived among enemies who wanted to kill her and her husband imprisoned her. She had two marriages, 10 or 12 kids, and even Richard the Lionheart was her son. She also took part in the Crusades. She was truly formidable – really resilient and intelligent.

gafencu-interview-christineciu-aarrtt-nft-art-platform-asia-hongkong (5) — Christine Chiu wearing Namari off-the-shoulder linen and organic cotton-blend twill midi dress by Mara Hoffman, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER

What was the last music you downloaded/listened to?
Eroica, Beethoven’s Symphony no. 3.

What’s the biggest challenge to lifting art appreciation in Hong Kong?
I believe it’s getting people to stop and look – to make time for art. Hong Kong is such a busy city, people are always in a rush. The city does have some very good public art, whether it be local or international artists, but most people don’t realise this. Education is key to lifting art appreciation, be it through schools, public talks or community events.

What do you always keep in your fridge?
Hummous, comté cheese and Chardonnay.

What three words best describe you?
Optimistic. Extroverted. Adventurous.

Thank you.

(Venue: Ora-Ora and Touch Gallery; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jackie Chan Hair & makeup: Heti Tsang)

Places to visit to see vibrant street art in Hong Kong

Hong Kong — home to inspiring architecture, major international art fairs, Asia’s first Digital Art Fair and more… this city has time and again reinforced itself as the region’s international art hub. And the burgeoning sub-culture of street art over the years, is no exception — firmly marking its place in the city and garnering the support and appreciation of business owners, fellow art enthusiasts, and neophiliac Instagrammers alike.

From chromatic graffiti art tucked into alleyways and across shop entrances to murals that stretch as high as the buildings they are painted on, take a pause from the bustle of the city and stroll the streets of SoHo, Kowloon and Sai Kung to appreciate the dynamic sub-culture of street art. We spotlight the best spots to take your camera and for a shot of some of the city’s most beautifil graffiti and mural paintings.

Sai Kung

After the cancellation of the 2020 HK Walls street art festival, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the collaborative project by the non-profit organisation returned last spring with its 2021 edition, choosing the famous fishing seaside town of Sai Kung as its wide-scale canvas.

The festival, which aims to create opportunities for local and international artists to showcase their talents in Hong Kong through street art, graffiti and muralism, invited 22 local male and female artists to decorate the town with murals, giving this hip town and even fresher look.

A cluster of art works can be found around the Sai Kung Market and Sai Kung Garden blocks.

Wong Chuk Hang

Over on the far south, the hip and trending town of Wong Chuk Hang makes for a fun weekend trip with friends and family. With a slew of new dining hotspots and a vibrant new coat of murals and street are to appreciate, the area serves up long stretches of art works located along Heung Yip Road, where One Island South is situated, and Wong Chuk Hang Road, the stretch of road on which Ovolo Southside sits. Make sure to also make a stop next to the Wong Chuk Hang Playground and Yip Fat Street. These Instagrammable spots are sure to be a hit with the kids and liven up your social media feed.

Wan Chai

While you’re down south, stop over at Wan Chai for some wide-scale and psychedelic murals. Starting from Morrison Hill Swimming Pool on Oi Kwan Road, you’ll find a long stretch of oriental-style graffiti work by group Kwan Clan, a collaborative effort among five Chinese artists.

Then, continue down the road and you will find several more creative pieces marking various buildings along the way, including the famous animal mural outside of the SPCA Building. And if you’re willing to stretch your legs farther, check out the realist art piece titled The Huskey by Yopey on Kennedy Street as well.

Central

Making your way in and out of the streets of the city’s shopping and dining hotspot SoHo is almost an adventure, especially when you’re on the hunt for the most iconic murals plastered across shop entrances and tucked between shops and alleways. This area colourfully reflects Hong Kong as the cultural melting pot that it is.

Boasting some of the most Instagramed parts of Hong Kong and featuring some of the most recognisable murals around town, the street art here is hard to miss, but if you’ve never taken a second to stop and appreciate it, some of the trendiest ones to look out for are the vibrant Old Townhouses by Alex Croft outside of the GOD store on Graham street; Uma Nota’s iconic Flamingo lady by Elsa Jean de Dieu on Peel Street; the imposing Hollywood-inspired piece above Madera Hollywood Hotel; the beautiful twin coy by Christian Storm on Shing Wong Street; and the urban impressionism-style of Hong Kong by Dan Kitchener (aka DANK) and Charles Williams on Elgin Street.

Sheung Wan

If you have the bandwidth to continue to Sheung Wan, proceed along Hollywood Road until you reach the stairway that leads up to square street to reach Tank Lane. Here, the journey takes you through a series of murals by local and international artists. This is also where iconic mosiac-style portrait of hometown hero Bruce Lee by XEVA (Yoo Seung-Baik) hangs overhead. And at the end of the trip, turn into Bridges Street to arrive at Tai Ping Shan where Instagram-famous teashop Teakha serves refreshingly delicious chai and treats.

Sai Ying Pun

Farther down the western side of Hong Kong island, a quaint alleyway in Sai Ying Pun named One Art Lane transports you to a multi-verse of colours and quirky characters. Its alleyways and stairways are completely covered with a collection of 26 murals by 17 international and local artists. This spot is easily accessible by train as it is conveniently situated right outside Exit B3 of Sai Ying Pun MTR station.

The Mills

Although Tsuen Wan doesn’t score high on the list of must-see places to appreciate street art, the latest revitalised heritage building, The Mills, formerly a textiles factory, does feature over a handful of murals along the wide entrance of its building if ever you are on this side of town or visiting the landmark.

Explore Hong Kong's many street art hkwalls sham shui po gafencu — (Rainbow Thief by Okuda San Miguel; Photo courtesy of HKWalls)

Although Kowloon side doesn’t spring to mind when on the hunt for art, its old buildings and old-style Hong Kong aesthetic provides a stark contrast to the city’s earlier commissions of murals. Decades old buildings, shop shutters and high rises along Sham Shui Po, Prince Edward, Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei were given new life thanks to HK Wall’s 2016 project.

If you find yourself around the Yau Tsim Mong district, check out the iconic large scale multi-coloured geometric dog by Okuda San Miguel, named Rainbow Thief, that is plastered along the length of the Man Fung Residential Building in Sham Shui Po or the street art that decorate the infamous Yau Ma Tei fruit market and bustling stalls along Waterloo Road. In Mong Kok, the Public Square Street is a relatively new addition. You’ll surprised to see that these vibrant gems stand out and highlight the areas with an vibrant interpretation of Hong Kong’s multicultural city.