With 104 galleries from 23 countries and territories, the 2021 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong isn’t a full return to the fair’s usual pre-Covid-19 scale of over 230 participants, but it nevertheless offers glimmers of hope for a post-pandemic future. Adaptations were made such that the event would closely resemble “a real art fair” (a description that was repeated among organizers and guests alike, sometimes even exclaimed with a sense of wonder), including the stationing of local assistants at the booths of the 56 international galleries who sent artworks but couldn’t travel to Hong Kong. Features from previous iterations that carried over this year included the Insights sector, comprising in-depth presentations with historically important artists from the Asia-Pacific region, and Discoveries, where emerging artists are spotlighted. Above all, however, it was the steady stream of visitors on the VIP preview day who best restored a sense of normalcy. Here are a selection of works that are worth scoping out, whether you are visiting in person or checking in online.

Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 runs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 21 to 23, 2021.

To read more of ArtAsiaPacific’s articles, visit our Digital Library.

Back to Blog

• Hong Kong
• China
• Switzerland
• Art Basel Hong Kong