Hong Kong has long been connected—both culturally and financially—with London and New York. An upcoming exhibition at K11 Musea, a hybrid shopping mall and cultural platform founded by Hong Kong billionaire Adrian Cheng’s K11 Group, hopes to foster greater ties between Hong Kong and Los Angeles, which is home to one of the largest Chinese-speaking communities in North America.
The exhibition, “Hot Concrete: LA to HK,” will showcase more than 55 artworks by a large, diverse contingent of 30 L.A.-based artists, ranging from younger names including Aryo Toh Djojo, Austyn Weiner, Greg Ito, Jaime Muñoz, and Zoé Blue M, to established figures from earlier generations, such as Peter Shire. It will run from October 21 through November 13. Sales enquiries are accepted for selected works on view.
“I’ve always had a big love for L.A. and all things L.A. I consider it my second home. I think there’s a lot of similarities and it’s connected by the Pacific Ocean,” said Kevin Poon, who grew up between Hong Kong and L.A. Poon’s WOAW Gallery is co-presenting the exhibition with K11 Musea. (Ouyang Art Consulting is a co-organizer of the exhibition.)
Peter Shire, Naso Dot. Courtesy of the artist and “Hot Concrete”.
“Both are a melting pot of different cultures,” Poon said. “Both Los Angeles and Hong Kong have begun to look back at the many centers of the city as concerns around density, affordability, sustainability, and community become more and more prescient.”
Curated by the L.A.-based gallery Sow and Tailor, the show draws on the four major principles of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement—a fresh approach, movement, balance, and harmony.
Greg Ito, The Last Serenade. Courtesy of the artist and “Hot Concrete.”
The opening of the show coincides with the relaxation of Hong Kong’s long-running pandemic travel restrictions. The city ended the prolonged hotel quarantine for inbound travelers earlier this month, and it is expected that restrictions will be further relaxed next month while international events likely resume.
“I think people always want to come Hong Kong, especially artists,” Poon said, “because Hong Kong has such an important place in the art scene.”
This article was updated on October 6 as organizers later clarified that the exhibition is primarily a non-selling exhibition, though sales enquires on selected works on view are accepted.