Traditional Chinese porcelain meets contemporary design in a groundbreaking collaboration at Asia's premier art fair Art Basel Hong Kong returns to the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Center from March 28-30, 2025. As Global Lead Partner, UBS will showcase a program focused on reimagining traditional craftsmanship for modern audiences.
Yin Xiuzhen, Born 1963, Beijing, Mainland China; lives and works in Beijing, Wall Instrument No. 27, 2019-21, Porcelain, used clothes, 90 x 95.5 x 5 cm, UBS Art Collection © Yin Xiuzhen, courtesy of Pace Gallery
Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
The highlight of UBS's program is Glazed Splendor, an extraordinary collaboration between renowned fashion designer Guo Pei and Master Tan Guanghui, a National-level Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor of Guangcai. Their creation—a gold-themed couture gown crafted from 6,000 hand-painted porcelain tiles—celebrates both Chinese craftsmanship and the 75th anniversary of Swiss-Chinese relations.
"This year, we explore craft through innovative contemporary practices, building new entry points for future generations to connect with creative mastery," says Amy Lo, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia and Chief Executive of UBS Hong Kong.
Yin Xiuzhen, Born 1963, Beijing, Mainland China; lives and works in Beijing
Flag Gate UBS, 2024-25, Worn cloths collected from different people of UBS, fabric, wooden boards, copper tubes, mirror, 347 cm x 300 cm, depth variable, overall installation © Yin Xiuzhen, courtesy of Pace Gallery and Beijing Commune. Photo: Wang Xiang
Kyungah Ham,Born 1966, Seoul, South Korea; lives and works in Seoul
Needling Whisper, Needle Country / SMS Series in Camouflage Greedy is good K01-01-01, 2020, North Korean hand embroidery, silk threads on cotton, middle man, smuggling, bribe, tension, anxiety, censorship, ideology, wooden frame, approx. 1000hrs/1person, 141 x 141 cm (55 1/2 x 55 1/2 in), Framed: 146 x 146 x 12 cm (57 1/2 x 571/2 x 4 3/4 in), UBS Art Collection © Kyungah Ham. Image courtesy of Kukje Gallery. Photo: Chunho An
Contemporary Interpretations
Leading Beijing artist Yin Xiuzhen's work Wall Instrument No. 27, featuring porcelain and used clothing, will be displayed alongside Glazed Splendor. The UBS Lounge will also unveil Yin's newly commissioned Flag Gate UBS, created from garments donated by UBS employees, as part of the Threads exhibition—a collection of textile artworks exploring identity, gender, and environmental themes.
"We are proud to highlight artists who challenge traditional distinctions between art, craft, and design," notes Mary Rozell, Global Head of the UBS Art Collection.
Additional installations include Singaporean artist Dawn Ng's Into Air series at UBS One and Ho Tzu Nyen's AI-generated Night Charades on the M+ Façade, celebrating Hong Kong's cinematic heritage.
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025
Dates: March 28-30, 2025
Venue: Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Center
Adresse: Convention & Exhibition Centre1, Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China
Opening Hours:
VIP Days (by invitation only)
First Choice | Wednesday, March 26, 12 noon to 8pm
First Choice and Preview | Wednesday, March 26, 3pm to 8pm
First Choice and Preview | Thursday, March 27, 12 noon to 4pm
First Choice and Preview | Friday, March 28, 12 noon to 2pm
First Choice and Preview | Saturday, March 29, 12 noon to 2pm
First Choice and Preview | Sunday, March 30, 11am to 12 noon
Public Days
Friday, March 28, 2pm to 8pm
Saturday, March 29, 2pm to 8pm
Sunday, March 30, 12 noon to 6pm
The last admission time is thirty minutes before closing.
Website: https://www.artbasel.com/hong-kong
