Art Basel Hong Kong Director Angelle Siyang-Le on what to see this Arts Month

Lavish parties, stirring performances, and brilliant artworks displayed all around the city –Hong Kong’s “Arts Month” is a celebration of creativity that attracts art professionals and connoisseurs from across the world. And at the heart of it all? Art Basel Hong Kong, a sprawling showcase of global art that takes place in the last week of March. We caught up with Art Basel Hong Kong Director and Cathay Diamond member Angelle Siyang-Le to find out more about the upcoming fair, as well as the other art events around the city that you simply can’t miss.

What is your vision for the 2025 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong? How has the fair evolved over the years and where are you planning to take it?

From the start of the fair in 2012 (called “Art HK” at the time) to when I took up the position of Director of Art Basel Hong Kong in 2022, I have seen the fair grow and evolve into the flagship art fair in Asia. For the upcoming edition, I hope to focus on transformation. As we step into the second decade of Art Basel in Asia, it’s time to reshape how the world perceives contemporary Asian art.

What makes Art Basel Hong Kong different from its sister fairs in Basel, Miami and Paris? 

Each fair has unique characteristics that reflect the region it takes place in. We make it a priority for Art Basel Hong Kong to reflect the diverse localities within the Asia Pacific. Of the 240 galleries from 42 countries and territories across the world presenting at our show, more than half hail from the Asia Pacific, underscoring our commitment to championing the region’s artistic voices. In addition, we take care to bring fresh perspectives to the show and are delighted to welcome 23 new galleries from places such as Kosovo, Guatemala, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Australia, and the Greater China region. 

We have also established partnerships with institutions important to our home city and the region, which can be seen in our parallel programmes [more on these below].

What are some of the highlights of Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 that visitors shouldn’t miss? 

This year we are very proud to have launched the MGM Discoveries Art Prize, an award established to support emerging artists presenting at the show. Visitors should keep an eye out for the shortlisted artists, all of whom are presenting in our Discoveries sector: Shin Min, represented by London’s P21 gallery; Kayode Ojo, represented by Sweetwater art gallery in Berlin; and Saju Kunhan, represented by Tarq, a Mumbai-based gallery. The winner will be announced at the MGM lounge during the fair. 

For the first time, we are also partnering with local independent art institution Para Site for the fair’s Film programme. Para Site director Billy Tang, together with Para Site’s young curators, are sure to bring a new energy to our programming. 

What trends should Hong Kong art collectors be paying attention to? 

Although it is difficult to determine a specific trend, we have noticed increasing interest, once again, in collecting digital art and other non-traditional media. Such works are becoming more visible in galleries across our show floor, and for this year’s Encounters, the sector of the fair dedicated to large-scale projects, you will definitely notice digital art as a predominant theme. I’m looking forward to seeing Lu Yang’s work, presented by  de Sarthe and COMA galleries. This Chinese new media artist skillfully merges digital technologies with ancient Buddhist philosophies, combining the traditional with the contemporary in a really exciting way. This is something I think collectors are looking for more and more: balancing the familiar with the new. 

In March, the whole arts ecosystem in Hong Kong comes alive. What exhibitions, performances and other events around the city are you looking forward to? 

There will be cutting-edge art and cultural experiences around every corner. I’m excited to see Monster Chetwynd’s site-specific installation, Lanternfly Ballet, come to life at Pacific Place. Combining sculpture and performance, the piece is inspired by metamorphosis, and marks our third year presenting an off-site component in collaboration with Swire Properties. 

As part of our public programme, we are thrilled to enter into our fourth partnership with M+ and UBS for the M+ Facade, which will display Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen’s Night Charades, a tribute to the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. Anyone passing along the waterfront of Victoria Harbour may catch a glimpse of the work. Moreover, we will once again support Tai Kwun as they host their annual Artists’ Night on 28 March, during which members of the public can enjoy a captivating fusion of visual art, live performance, experimental events, and music – underpinned by themes of AI, the body, and ritualistic encounters. 

Other local institutions will also stage their best shows of the year during this period. For instance, M+ will be placing masterpieces by Pablo Picasso in dialogue with artists in the museum’s collection, while the Centre of Heritage, Arts and Textile will put on an exhibition exploring the intersections between traditional crafts, folk art, and contemporary creations. There’s an exhibition of Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir currently running at the Hong Kong Museum of Art; and the city’s first ASMR-themed exhibition will be presented at Kai Tak’s Airside mall. 

What are your top tips for navigating this hectic month of art fairs, auctions, parties and exhibition openings? 

My advice would be to take your time to enjoy the things you love and are drawn to. With so much going on, it’s impossible to be everywhere at once. I’d recommend checking out what your must-visit galleries are showing or whether your favourite artist will be in town, and planning your trip before arriving. Also, a good pair of fashionable yet comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity for fairgoers. 

Any travel advice for your fellow Diamond members who will be flying with us soon? 

Once you touch down in the city, the bustle of Arts Month will certainly sweep you off your feet! If you’re flying in on a long-haul flight, tackle the Hong Kong time zone like a pro by catching some shut eye on your flight. Or watch some inspiring films and shows on Cathay’s inflight entertainment. And here’s my secret: I always pop on some hydrating eye masks just before landing. You just don’t know who you’ll meet upon arriving at Hong Kong International Airport.