Asia Art Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 23 Week of 14 July 2025
(1) HSBC showcases Emirati artists in Hong Kong with Abu Dhabi Art
HSBC and Abu Dhabi Art have brought Emirati and Middle Eastern artists to Hong Kong for the first time, showcasing two exhibitions that promote cultural exchange and global recognition.
(2) “Accidentally Wes Anderson” exhibition comes to Hong Kong this summer
The ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ exhibition brings over 100 real-life photographs to Hong Kong, celebrating the filmmaker’s iconic visual style.
(3) Crowds flock to Hong Kong Book Fair for art, animation and food culture
The Hong Kong Book Fair 2025 blends literature with visual and interactive art, showcasing creative collaborations, installations, and cultural exhibits that celebrate storytelling through multiple artistic forms.
(4) Hong Kong Turns To Spiritual Heritage And Religious Art To Promote Cultural Unity, Foster Social Reflection, And Fuel A New Wave Of Cultural Tourism
Hong Kong is embracing spiritual art to enrich its cultural identity and attract global visitors, using exhibitions of sacred works to promote interfaith understanding and creative reflection.
(1) HSBC showcases Emirati artists in Hong Kong with Abu Dhabi Art
(Photo Credit: HSBC)
HSBC has partnered with Abu Dhabi Art to bring two exhibitions to Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong, running from 15 to 27 July 2025. The initiative marks the first-time leading Emirati and Middle Eastern artists are showcased in this venue, highlighting HSBC’s commitment to connecting cultures through art. The exhibitions, titled “Different Perspectives” and “Beyond Emerging Artists”, feature twelve contemporary artists from the UAE and around the world.
“Different Perspectives”, part of HSBC’s global art series, includes works by international artists exploring themes such as identity, migration and memory. “Beyond Emerging Artists”, commissioned by Abu Dhabi Art, focuses on rising talent from the UAE, with pieces spanning sculpture, sound and textiles. Artists Fatma Al Ali, Dina Nazmi Khorchid and Simrin Mehra Agarwal reflect on transformation and emotional ties to place through their work.
HSBC and Abu Dhabi Art emphasise the importance of cultural exchange and supporting creative growth. The partnership aims to give regional artists international exposure and contribute to the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for the creative economy. The exhibitions also reflect HSBC’s long-standing commitment to the arts, with a collection of over 4,000 works built since 1923.
News Source: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/hsbc-showcases-emirati-artists-in-hong-kong-with-abu-dhabi-art-wr68d5uq
(2) “Accidentally Wes Anderson” exhibition comes to Hong Kong this summer
(Photo Credit: Instagram/ Accidentally Wes Anderson)
The ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ exhibition has made its debut in Hong Kong, running from 15 July to 14 September 2025 at The Mills in Tsuen Wan and AIRSIDE in Kai Tak. Inspired by filmmaker Wes Anderson’s distinctive visual style, the exhibition features over 100 real-life photographs arranged in themed zones such as hotels, doors and facades, pools, lighthouses, and a special Hong Kong section.
Visitors can explore immersive installations that reflect Anderson’s signature symmetry and pastel colour palette, including a recreation of The Grand Budapest Hotel’s entrance. Interactive photo spots and exclusive merchandise designed in the same whimsical aesthetic are also available, offering fans a chance to step into scenes reminiscent of his films.
The exhibition encourages creativity and visual storytelling, inviting guests to discover poetic charm in everyday landscapes. With free admission and a variety of engaging activities, it celebrates Wes Anderson’s cinematic influence in a playful and artistic setting.
News Source: https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/whats-on/events-whats-on/accidentally-wes-anderson-exhibition-hong-kong-the-mills-exhibition-info/
(3) Crowds flock to Hong Kong Book Fair for art, animation and food culture
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
The Hong Kong Book Fair 2025, now in its 35th edition, is placing a strong emphasis on art and culture alongside literature. This year’s theme, “Food Culture, Future Living”, is explored through interactive installations, AI-driven exhibits, and curated displays that blend visual storytelling with culinary traditions. The fair also features a dedicated Cultural and Creative Products zone, offering hands-on experiences with Hong Kong’s intangible heritage and traditional crafts.
Artistic expression is further highlighted through collaborations with local illustrators and artists, such as B.wing and Steven Choi, whose works draw crowds eager to collect limited-edition albums and character models. These visual pieces reflect deeper themes like solitude and identity, showing how the fair supports both literary and visual arts. Visitors also engage with creative installations that transform personal traits into recipe illustrations, merging technology with artistic interpretation.
Beyond books, the fair includes author talks, autograph sessions, and themed zones that celebrate the intersection of art, storytelling, and cultural exchange. With over 770 exhibitors and more than 1 million expected visitors, the event continues to serve as a vibrant platform for artistic dialogue, bridging East and West through diverse creative forms.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3318398/crowds-flock-hong-kong-book-fair-art-animation-and-food-culture
(4) Hong Kong Turns To Spiritual Heritage And Religious Art To Promote Cultural Unity, Foster Social Reflection, And Fuel A New Wave Of Cultural Tourism
(Photo Credit: Travel and Tour World)
Hong Kong is embracing spiritual art as a way to strengthen its cultural identity and attract global visitors seeking deeper, more meaningful experiences. Recent exhibitions featuring Buddhist thangkas, Islamic calligraphy, and Christian iconography have sparked public interest, with institutions like the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Tsz Shan Monastery Art Museum leading efforts to showcase sacred art. These exhibitions promote interfaith understanding and highlight the city’s rich spiritual heritage.
Buddhist art stands out for its universal appeal and historical depth, with styles ranging from Greco-Roman influenced Gandharan sculptures to distinctly East Asian visual traditions. Exhibiting both figurative and symbolic works allows audiences to explore diverse expressions of faith, while drawing connections between spiritual values and everyday language. This approach helps deepen public appreciation of Hong Kong’s cultural roots and moral traditions.
To build on this momentum, there is growing support for a permanent venue dedicated to global religious art. Such a space could host rotating exhibitions, digital installations, and educational programmes, positioning Hong Kong as a cultural capital where tradition meets innovation. By integrating sacred art into its tourism and education strategies, the city can foster social harmony and present a more reflective, inclusive image to the world.
