What’s caught our eye at Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central

Art fairs of the calibre of Art Basel Hong Kong offer a unique opportunity to glimpse an annual overview of the worldwide art market and its interests.

However, fairs at this heady level rarely capture the world’s other concerns, largely forgoing contentious issues such as the rise of populism, Donald Trump and his policies, regional tensions, intolerance of refugees, terrorism, Brexit and a possible European Union breakup. None of these were much glimpsed around Art Basel’s exhibition halls.

Art Central, in a large tent on the Central reclamation, has fewer pretensions, and, though much of the art was decorative, offered glimpses of political and social concern in its organised talks and performances.

Richard Koh Fine Art from Kuala Lumpur featured a diverse line-up. Anne Samat’s “Huntsman” series replicated a wacky tribal wall hanging, but used kitchen utensils, beads, woven cloth, rattan sticks and common knick-knacks. Kuala Lumpur-based Haffendi Anuar’s enamel-on-board paintings created a 3D effect using conventional geometric patterns.

Chinese University fine arts teacher Frank Vigneron’s continuing series of geometric drawings were presented as beautiful three-panel retablos at Lucie Chang’s booth.