Wednesday, September 24, 2014

New art fair to be launched in Hong Kong


The founder of ART HK, Tim Etchells, will launch a new art fair in Hong Kong in 2015. Co-directed by Eve Share Banghart (Art Basel, ART HK and Gagosian Gallery) and Maree Di Pasquale  (Melbourne Art Fair, Sydney Contemporary and Abu Dhabi Art Fair), Art Central debuts 14 to 16 March to coincide with Art Basel Hong Kong.

News of the fair comes as no surprise - Etchells has been planning it ever since he sold ART HK to MCH Swiss Exhibition Limited, the parent company of Art Basel. However, rather than rolling out an 'affordable' art fair (as expected), Etchells has opted for a high-end fair that will sit alongside Art Basel Hong Kong. Art Central will be staged in a purpose-built tent on the new Central Harbour Front, less than two kilometers from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre where Art Basel takes place.

Word on the street is Art Central will offer an attractive alternative to galleries that are unable to get into Art Basel Hong Kong, but it will also appeal to gallerists who liked the the focus and format of ART HK before it was made over by Art Basel.