Art month is officially here. As a newcomer to the city, it’s my first go-around on this hamster wheel of event madness. They weren’t wrong – it’s a lot. We’ve barely begun and already I feel like there’s art coming out of our collective ears.
Even if you think art isn’t your “thing”, I entreat you to momentarily suspend your disbelief and embrace a new persona. Stop by a gallery, see a show. Hong Kong makes it easy. Last weekend, I finally sauntered over to a gallery in Central and was surprised at how effortless it was to see world-class artists. This is likely not a revelation to you but indulge my fresh-face, wide-eyed self and let it serve as a reminder. I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The work – intricate wire sculptures by Ruth Asawa – was even more stunning in person than in the images.
To that end – helping you tackle all the art Hong Kong has on offer – we’re including a selection of shows to visit in each of our March issues, starting today. I’m particularly excited to see Michele Fletcher’s evocative paintings and the group show “Unsold ≠ Worthless: Shifting Perspectives”.
In our cover feature, Belgian musician Bolis Pupul tells Vincent Chow how his family’s roots in Hong Kong and Wenzhou were the springboard for his latest album Letter to Yu. It’s a story that resonated for me, as someone whose own family emigrated from China and who later found a connection with my ancestral homeland. Regardless of your own history, I think you’ll find it a powerful piece.
Also compelling are the tremendous efforts expended by anyone participating in Hong Kong’s Four Peaks Race, discovers Martin Williams. The race celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, and reading it, I was impressed that anyone has committed themselves to 170km of sailing and running – at times, in pitch darkness no less. But it turns out, over the past four decades, there have been many souls braver than me. One is our photo editor, Alexander Mak, who accompanied the racers to document their journey.
Now a wine tour? Certainly more my speed than hoisting a sail in inclement weather. Marco Ferrarese heads to Ningxia to explore the region’s wineries. It’s China’s most established area for grape growing and I’d hazard a guess that you’ve heard of it – or even had a sip of a Ningxia wine. But post-pandemic, it’s also evolving into a destination for wine tourism, with tours to lead the way and estates opening tasting rooms. I’ll raise a glass to that.
