A Decade of Innovation: Art Central 2025 and the Evolution of Contemporary Art
- Gen de Art
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
As the curtains rise on Art Central 2025, the energy is palpable. For a decade, this fair has been a cornerstone in the global art calendar, contributing to the maturation of Hong Kong as a significant player in the international art scene. Under the leadership of Corey Andrew Barr and a team of visionary curators, Art Central has steadily evolved, responding to global shifts while maintaining its focus on innovation, diversity, and regional talent.
Corey Andrew Barr, Fair Director, Art Central 2025
“Art Central was conceived as an event to bolster Hong Kong Art Week, further establishing the city as a major hub for the art trade,” Barr reflects on the fair’s origins. Now in its tenth edition, Art Central has not only weathered the storm of the pandemic but emerged stronger. “We’ve regrown and exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with a strong roster of international exhibitors,” he notes. The evolution of Art Central is a testament to the fair’s adaptability, from focusing on regional talent during the pandemic to embracing an even stronger Asia-Pacific presence as the global art market shifts its gaze eastward.
A Thoughtful Curatorial Approach
This year, Art Central will showcase over 100 galleries and 500 artists, representing a dynamic balance of emerging and established voices. Among the curatorial highlights is the Neo sector, a platform dedicated to first- and second-year galleries, which fosters the growth of new talent while drawing attention from collectors and institutions. "We’ve ensured that Art Central is a place where new artists can make their mark alongside more established names," Barr explains. This thoughtful balance is part of the fair’s broader mission to engage the art world through diverse, yet interconnected, narratives.
In addition, Art Central’s dedication to bridging the gap between past and present is epitomized by the Legend feature. Curated by Enoch Cheng, Legend presents the works of six pioneering artists born before 1970, whose contributions to contemporary art remain profound but underappreciated in the Asia-Pacific region. Cheng explains, "These artists—visionaries in their time—have left an indelible mark on the Asia-Pacific art scene, and through this showcase, we hope to reposition Hong Kong not just as a hub for today’s art but also as a crucial link to art history." This year, Legend brings together diverse artists such as Emily Kam Kngwarreye, a celebrated Aboriginal Australian painter whose intricate abstract works have garnered international acclaim.
Ay-O, Rainbow Man and Woman, 2008, acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 162.2 x 130.3 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Whitestone Gallery
Among other notable artists is Ay-O, a key figure in the Fluxus movement, recognized for his bold “rainbow” works that explore color and form in revolutionary ways. Ay-O’s contributions to avant-garde art in Japan and beyond are finally receiving due recognition at Art Central. Similarly, Eikoh Hosoe, a Japanese photographer known for his psychologically charged images, brings a fresh perspective on photography’s role as an artistic medium. Hosoe’s works have influenced generations of artists, furthering the dialogue between past and present in Art Central’s curation.
Art Beyond Boundaries: Transnational Narratives and New Mediums
Curator Aaditya Sathish, who joins the team for Art Central’s tenth edition, brings a bold new perspective with a focus on transnational narratives. "We are looking at artists and their practices in a way that transcends geographical boundaries," Sathish notes. "This allows us to read their work in a broader context, connecting their local and global influences." This thematic approach permeates much of the programming this year, creating a layered conversation about culture, identity, and art’s evolving role in society.
Aaditya Sathish, Curator, Art Central 2025.
Courtesy of Shek Po Kwan.
For instance, Charmaine Poh’s exploration of femininity from a historical-cybernetic lens provides a fresh perspective on how technology and gender intersect in contemporary art. In contrast, IV Chan’s work draws from the visual language of Chinese horror films to investigate the same themes. These contrasting yet complementary viewpoints highlight the diverse ways artists approach shared concerns.
Sathish also brings a focus on immersive art experiences through the medium of video. His video art program, On the shores of..., features three CRT TV installations by Hong Kong artists Kary Kwok, Kwang Sheung-Chi, and Ellen Pau, offering a unique opportunity for viewers to engage with the medium in a tactile and intimate setting. The installation reflects the growing importance of time-based media in contemporary art, and the program itself is designed to unfold slowly, inviting viewers to engage deeply with the works on display.
Large-Scale Installations and Performance Art
A standout feature of Art Central 2025 is its emphasis on large-scale installations and performance art, mediums that demand a more immersive, contemplative engagement. Hong Kong-based artist Nadim Abbas, known for his conceptual installations, has been commissioned to create a site-specific work inspired by an unrealized 1969 drawing from architect Andrea Branzi. Abbas’s installation explores the intersection of architecture and art, reimagining spatial configurations in ways that are at once conceptual and physically imposing. His work is a testament to the power of art to reshape how we understand and navigate space.
Performance art, too, plays a crucial role in this year’s programming. The lecture-performance series In Search of the Miraculous brings together artists who experiment with form and narrative, using performance to reflect on deeply personal and culturally resonant themes. Among the participants are Tsui Hou Lam and Pak Hang, who draw on their childhood memories and obsolete technologies to craft reflective, nostalgic performances. Meanwhile, Xiaoshi Vivian Vivian Qin taps into myths and folklore from Southern China to explore themes of identity and belonging.
As Art Central celebrates its tenth anniversary, it is clear that the fair’s thoughtful curation and commitment to innovation have ensured its continued relevance. With a careful balance of historical significance and forward-looking experimentation, Art Central 2025 stands as a beacon of artistic excellence, reaffirming Hong Kong’s position as a vital player on the global art stage.
Art Central
