HK artists shine at Venice Biennale with ‘Fermata’ exhibition

Works by Hong Kong artists took the spotlight at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale) on Saturday, bringing the city’s unique cultural narratives to the international audience.

Themed “Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice”, the collateral event is curated by the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC).

This marks HKMoA’s first curation at the Venice Biennale, showcasing the innovative works of Hong Kong artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Friday, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui highlighted the significance of Hong Kong’s participation in the Biennale.

“Venice Biennale is the world’s oldest international art exhibition. For over 130 years, this prestigious event has drawn art lovers from every corner of the globe. Hong Kong has been proud to participate as a Collateral Event since 2001 — one of our flagship overseas art programs, supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government,” she said.

Emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange in light of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, she said Hong Kong’s participation aligns with national goals to foster greater artistic collaborations globally.

HKADC Chairman Kenneth Fok Kai-kong expressed his hope that through this exhibition, more audiences from around the world will gain a deeper appreciation of Hong Kong artists’ creativity, fostering increased international exchange.

The exhibition features five installations across a courtyard and four gallery rooms.

Kingsley Ng, a media artist known for his poetic, site-specific installations, draws inspiration from the everyday scenes of “hanging laundry” in both Venice and Hong Kong. His multimedia installations, such as “Sometimes, There Are Clouds in Puddles” and “Laundry Nocturne”, incorporate the unique nighttime sounds of Hong Kong, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on transient moments amidst urban life.

Artist Angel Hui integrates traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary artistic language in her works. One of her installations features millennia-old embroidery crafted by Suzhou embroiderers onto ordinary plastic bags in Hong Kong, while “I Would Like to Open a Window for You” showcases handcrafted iron window grilles in Hong Kong and Venetian styles, with shifting shadows casting onto the walls of an old Venetian house as natural light filters through.

“Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice”, which runs through Nov 22, celebrates the creativity and cultural heritage of Hong Kong and also reinforces the city’s commitment to artistic innovation and international cultural dialogue. The exhibition offers an exploration of Hong Kong’s artistic landscape to the global arts community.

Contact the writer at irismuk@chinadailyhk.com