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M+ museum of visual culture
Hong KongPolitics

Hong Kong’s new M+ museum will display works by Ai Weiwei, but exhibitions will also ‘comply with the law’, arts hub official says

  • Arts hub authority chairman reveals some of Ai’s works will be shown in the opening exhibitions, but a photo of his that sparked controversy will not be
  • Henry Tang vows museum will ‘encourage the freedom of artistic expression’, while also abiding by the national security law

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Visitors attend a media preview of the opening exhibitions at the M+ museum on Thursday. Photo: Sam Tsang
Emily Tsang
Hong Kong’s most ambitious museum ever, the M+, will not shy away from showcasing the work of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in spite of past accusations that one of his works breached the national security law, an official overseeing the institution has said.
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Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday said the museum’s opening represented a significant milestone in the history of the city’s most important cultural development.

Acknowledging the criticisms the project’s huge public expenditure had drawn, Lam said those working on it believed Hong Kong had the potential to become a centre of cultural and artistic exchange between China and the world, demonstrating the country’s soft power.

Speaking earlier in the day, West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Authority chairman Henry Tang Ying-yen noted that some of Ai’s works were on display in the six main exhibitions, saying curators would stand up for core artistic values and principles – albeit within limits.

“We will uphold and encourage the freedom of artistic expression and creativity,” he said at a press event ahead of the contemporary art museum’s official Friday opening.

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“On the other hand, our dedicated curatorial team will ensure the exhibitions comply with the law, including the Basic Law, the national security law and all other laws in Hong Kong. The opening of M+ does not mean artistic expression is above the law. It is not.”

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