We are not so much rational, as rationalising—our actions are often opaque, even to ourselves. Retrospectively we may try to explain, to rationalise, what were largely unconscious impulses and inextricably personal drives. For Art Basel Hong Kong, we are leaning into the personal. We invited six Hong Kong–based artists to create a “portrait” of a fellow artist of their choosing, using materials from Asia Art Archive’s Collections. The selection criteria was subject to the whims of the invited artists. One chose an artist known more as a writer; another attempted to portray an artist who doesn’t want to be remembered. Every pair is deeply personal—and this personal link, in turn, informs the portraits themselves. Together, they point to that which exceeds the logic of the archive, and challenge the way we write art histories about Hong Kong. 

Artists: C&G, Leung Chi Wo, Tozer Pak Sheung Chuen, Wong Wai Yin, Ricky Yeung Sau Churk, and Samson Young

Video documentation | Conversation: Tozer Pak Sheung Chuen, Wong Wai Yin, and Ricky Yeung Sau Churk
Video documentation | Conversation: Leung Chi Wo and Samson Young
Video documentation | Conversation: Will There Be Another Periodical for Chinese Art?

Public Talks

Conversation: Tozer Pak Sheung Chuen, Wong Wai Yin, and Ricky Yeung Sau Churk (Cantonese)  

21 March 2023, 6–7pm  

In this talk, artists Tozer Pak Sheung Chuen, Wong Wai Yin, and Ricky Yeung Sau Churk speak about the “portraits” they created for Life-Size, or Not: Another Portrait of Hong Kong Art. Moderated by Anthony Yung, the conversation prompts: how do these personal portraits point to that which exceeds the logic of the archive, and challenge the way we write art histories about Hong Kong? 

Conversation: Leung Chi Wo and Samson Young (English) 

22 March 2023, 6–7pm  

In this talk, artists Leung Chi Wo and Samson Young speak about the “portraits” they created for Life-Size, or Not: Another Portrait of Hong Kong Art. Moderated by Özge Ersoy, the conversation prompts: how do these personal portraits point to that which exceeds the logic of the archive, and challenge the way we write art histories about Hong Kong? 

Conversation: Will There Be Another Periodical for Chinese Art? (English) 

24 March 2023, 4:30–5:30pm 

Yishu: Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, one of the most significant publications on Asian art in Greater China, has suspended publication since its Fall/Winter 2021 issue. In this conversation, Yishu editors Diana Freundl, Keith Wallace, and Zheng Shengtian join Anthony Yung (AAA), Daniel Ho (formerly of Randian), as well as HG Masters and Pamela Wong (ArtAsiaPacific) to discuss the potentials, limitations, and the future of today’s art periodicals. 

 

All events are free and open to the public. 

Location: Level 1 Concourse, Art Basel, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Image: Highlights from AAA Hong Kong Collections. Photo: Stephen Lam.
Image: Highlights from AAA Hong Kong Collections. Photo: Stephen Lam.

 
Life-Size or Not: Another Portrait of Hong Kong Art is curated by Anthony Yung and Özge Ersoy, with the support of Rebecca Tso and Isabella Chan. 

Graphic Design: MAJO 

Media Partners: ArtReview, formless. p-articles, and Ocula 

 

Asia Art Archive is a Cultural Partner of Art Basel Hong Kong.