Independent art finds room to flourish in Hong Kong as young artists and creatives grab retail spaces left empty by the pandemic
- Artists and curators are taking the opportunity to experiment on their own terms as more affordable spaces open up, freeing them of creative confines
- Hong Kong’s art scene has long been criticised for its focus on commercial galleries and lack of independent, artist-run spaces
Small independent art spaces and pop-up exhibitions have been sprouting up with more frequency all over Hong Kong in the past year. The reason? Many younger artists and creatives are moving into retail spaces left empty by the Covid-19 pandemic.
They’re taking the opportunity to collaborate and experiment on their own terms, free of the creative confines of commercial galleries, international art fairs and cultural institutions that have long defined the local art scene.
Alberto Gerosa, director of Thy Lab, an experimental art space in Sham Shui Po, notes that the textile industry, which was heavily affected by the pandemic, has left a vacancy of spaces in the area, contributing to the influx of new cafes and eateries.
“I haven’t seen any fall in rents in Sham Shui Po, but it really depends on the single landlord. Our landlord agreed to keep the rent stable, which was helpful,” he says.
One property agent in the area confirms that rents have fallen slightly, in part due to the increase in vacant spaces seen over the pandemic from businesses that couldn’t afford to sustain themselves.
