1. “Threading Inwards” at CHAT (The Mills)
Hong Kong was once a major hub of the textile industry, a rich history that the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) traces from its premises in a renovated former cotton mill in Tsuen Wan. For this major exhibition, fourteen artists and four curators from across Asia explore the spiritual dimension and the role of rugs, carpets, and other textiles in rituals and ceremonies. Marcos Kueh’s monumental new work, *The Spirit of Labour: Zhinü*, is one of the highlights of the exhibition. It is the latest creation in his textile series inspired by labor union banners from the era of the Industrial Revolution.
The exhibition “Threading Inwards” is on view at CHAT through June 28.
2. “Certainly” by Gold (Serakai Studio)
The Wong Chuk Hang neighborhood, once an industrial area and now a hub for creatives, is home to a brand-new hybrid space combining a lounge and a gallery, called Gold. Its very first exhibition, Certainly, draws inspiration from artist and composer La Monte Young’s famous 1960 performance score (“Draw a straight line and follow it”) to invite various creators to reflect on uncertainty. For Tobias Berger, co-founder and programming director of Serakai Studio, this theme resonates particularly with the reality of the contemporary art world. “You have to be flexible and know how to appreciate the unexpected,” he emphasizes.
“Certainly” is on display in the Gold Gallery at Serakai Studio through May 3.
3. Sightseeing at Para Site
The alternative art institution Para Site is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a full year of commemorative events. The festivities kick off with “Site-seeing,” a project that echoes a landmark group exhibition from 1996. It offers local artists a new opportunity to examine urban life. The exhibition design features screens, barbed-wire curtains, and automated surveillance stations prominently. Among the highlights is the digital triptych by Thai artist Nawin Nuthong.
The exhibition “Site-seeing” is on view at Para Site through June 14.
4. “HKG-TYO 1974–2023” at the WKM Gallery
Also located in Wong Chuk Hang, the WKM Gallery aims to raise the profile of photography within the Asian art scene. This solo exhibition dedicated to Canadian artist Greg Girard perfectly illustrates this approach. It features photographs of Tokyo and Hong Kong spanning from the 1970s to the present day, highlighting the stark contrasts that define the various neighborhoods of these two metropolises. “The idea for this exhibition took shape about a year ago,” says William Kayne Mukai, the gallery’s director. “We wanted to present a truly unique project, and as we discussed it, we realized that we both share a deep connection to Hong Kong and Tokyo.”
“HKG-TYO 1974–2023” is on view at the WKM Gallery through May 23.
5. “Ted Gahl: Roam” at Villepin
The Villepin Gallery recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Since its opening, this two-story space on Hollywood Road has created bold, immersive exhibitions for major artists such as Zao Wou-Ki and Myonghi Kang. Its founder, gallerist Arthur de Villepin, has a special connection to the work of American abstract painter Ted Gahl, whose paintings he began collecting in 2021. Today, the gallery is dedicating its entire space to this artist’s work. After soaking in the serenity and vibrant colors of his paintings, be sure to stop by the gallery’s library, which has been freshly redesigned.
The exhibition “Ted Gahl: Roam” is on view at Villepin through May 7.