{"id":40334,"date":"2026-03-30T09:33:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:33:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=40334"},"modified":"2026-03-30T09:33:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:33:46","slug":"opinion-hong-kong-can-draw-on-art-marchs-success-by-keeping-it-authentic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=40334","title":{"rendered":"Opinion | Hong Kong can draw on Art March\u2019s success by keeping it authentic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Last week, a friend and I chatted about our children\u2019s favourite art pieces after happening upon an auction house\u2019s exhibition in a building in the heart of Hong Kong\u2019s business district. We both recalled stopping to look at Yayoi Kusama\u2019s Mount Fuji prints<\/span>. \u201cI pass by the space twice every day,\u201d my friend said. She told me that my son\u2019s pick \u2013 a piece by Sam Francis<\/span> \u2013 was a new installation, replacing what had been a display of handbags.<\/div>\n
How often do we pause to notice art, or enjoy life in general? Perhaps that\u2019s the very essence of art: getting immersed in a much-needed and captivating distraction from the demands of a busy schedule and looking at something beautiful that transcends time and space.<\/p>\n
March has given Hongkongers the chance to escape the hustle and bustle to admire meaningful and beautiful art<\/span> from all over the world. It\u2019s certainly an accessible mental break for a highly strung city; viewing art has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, lift moods and enhance cognitive functions.<\/div>\n
We often hear about Hong Kong being the place where \u201cEast-meets-West\u201d. Art March<\/span> has become the month Hongkongers can hear, see, feel and breathe it \u2013 it\u2019s much more than a slogan.<\/div>\n
So kudos to the organisers and the Hong Kong government. Judged by its success and popularity, it\u2019s a definite keeper. It has taken decades of commitment to cultivate and nurture the art scene, building on the foundations laid by the 54-year-old Hong Kong Arts Festival<\/span>, which runs incredible programmes from late February through March annually.<\/div>\n
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<\/div>Sculptures and paintings are seen at the Ota booth at this year\u2019s Art Basel, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, on March 25. Photo: Eugene Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Hopefully, all the different forms of art can inspire Hong Kong to be more creative. It\u2019s a breath of fresh air to see the Tourism Board getting its act together. Earlier this month, the government-subvented body unveiled its work plan<\/span> for the year.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Sculptures](\"https:\/\/img.i-scmp.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto\/sites\/default\/files\/d8\/images\/canvas\/2026\/03\/27\/586e2b9a-b2b3-45cf-876a-ca05200681b7_763e5eb9.jpg\" "\\"Sculptures")
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