Galleries and Alleyways:Hong Kong’s Evolving Art Scene
Maria Wong, Managing Director of street art festival HKWALLS, shares why Hong Kong stands out as a world-class
Each March, art lovers, international collectors, and gallery curators flock to Hong Kong for a jam-packed lineup of world-class art fairs and events. The city becomes a massive art canvas with even the historic ferries and the hottest tables transformed into exciting art venues by the city’s most influential tastemakers.
However, Hong Kong’s vibrant art scene is not limited to high art in museums and galleries. Through the annual HKWALLS Street Art & Mural Festival, local and international street artists gather to turn the city’s walls and alleys into a multi-colored tapestry of creativity.
The Painting’s on the Wall
“Street art is the fabric of the city. You see different accents, different points of view and different styles from many different places. They are all speaking of the city,” says Maria Wong, Managing Director of the non-profit arts organization HKWALLS. Founded in 2014, HKWALLS came from a desire to bring more representation of street art culture to Hong Kong.
With minimal resources and a lot of passion—the team had to beg for wall spaces, barter for paints, and only had $25 ($200 HKD) to spend on ladders—HKWALLS’s journey began. Today, the festival has grown from a weekend affair to a respected art institution with year-long programming including a nine-day festival in March.
Years of organizing street art festivals have given Wong a unique perspective on Hong Kong’s art scene that she believes offers a reflection of those involved.
Hong Kong really has a can-do spirit. People are so efficient and hardworking, so you can get things done so quickly.
Maria Wong, HKWALLS, Managing Director
This can-do spirit was crucial in the success of one of Wong’s favorite HKWALLS’s projects. In 2019 Canadian artist Fluke was en route to Hong Kong when his wall donor backed out. Maria recalls the rush to find a last minute replacement location and how the team pulled through, despite the challenges, as emblematic of Hong Kong’s spirit. Today the mural, depicting a teacher with a flower blooming from her palms, has become a symbol of inspiration at its location in Wan Chai. “It represents knowledge and how we want to nurture young people. It has become really well-loved now,” says Wong.
Another of Wong’s stand-out pieces is German art collective Innerfields’ painting of a girl in an astronaut suit lying, surrounded by flowers, absorbed in her phone. The mural, located in Sheung Wan “is very meaningful to us as it highlights how people are so focused on looking at their phone that they miss what is going on around them.”
A Kaleidoscope of Experiences
Over the past decade, Wong has witnessed a transformation in Hong Kong’s art scene, which includes growing support from local groups as well as overseas institutions. “Some may only see Hong Kong as a commercial city with banks and shopping malls, but our art scene is equally vibrant,” says Wong. “Hong Kong’s art scene is very diverse with an eclectic mix of styles, genres, and mediums.”
From being just one of three cities hosting the prestigious Art Basel fair, to embracing digital art at the Digital Art Fair—dubbed the world’s first Web3 fine art fair—Hong Kong has become a veritable painter’s palette for all types of art. The recent openings of the Palace Museum and M+—one of the largest modern and contemporary visual culture museums in the world—are helping to bolster the city’s image as a center for art and creativity in the region.
The government has also taken an active role in supporting artists and bringing art to local communities. Oi! in North Point district is a former government clubhouse-turned-art space. The multiple buildings and outdoor spaces feature exhibition areas, a black box theater, and a resource center, serving as a destination for emerging artists and experimental projects.
Exploring the Canvas
With so much on offer across Hong Kong’s diverse artistic landscape, finding locations to appreciate authentic street art can be daunting. HKWALLS has convenient mural maps for their 2023 Sheung Wan and 2019 Wan Chai festivals to help art lovers find their way, with Wong suggesting these two districts—as well as Sham Shui Po—as some of the best locations to view murals by both local and international artists.
Sham Shui Po is a great place to start, not just because of the impressive graffiti works they’ve curated there, but also because of the district’s youthful creative community. “A lot of young people are taking root in the neighborhood, whether they’re opening their first gallery, an art space, or a music venue,” says Wong. For street art, the impressive 3D work by Peeta put up during HKWALLS’s 2016 festival is a can’t-miss.
Sheung Wan, the site of HKWALLS’s 2023 festival, offers further opportunities for street art enthusiasts to enjoy the organization’s creations. Amid Sheung Wan’s lively atmosphere, and a variety of international dining options and charming independent boutiques, spend a day exploring art by Czech illustrator Mara Cmara and Italian artist ZED1.
Sai Kung is another location street art lovers shouldn’t miss. In 2021, HKWALLS invited local artists to paint the streets of Sai Kung. The suburban seaside town—famous for its seafood restaurants and UNESCO Global Geopark—is now one of the most colorful places to see works by local talents. Here Wong suggests checking out Hong Kong-based illustrator Wong Ting Fung’s abstract Chinese character mural, or Bo Law’s work depicting a whale swooping across an alley wall; the piece aims to bring a sense of calm to passersby.
Over the past decade, Hong Kong’s art scene has undergone a remarkable transformation. From new museums and world-renowned art fairs to beloved street art festivals, Hong Kong is embracing creativity at every level. As the city builds a reputation as an art-box brimming with talent, authentic art experiences await visitors around every corner, and on each wall.
