Answer: An art exhibition titled “Wham Bam, Thank You M’am” opening in Hong Kong!

Thursday, February 25th, marks the launch of Above Second, a new art gallery in Sai Ying Pun. Above Second is christening their space with a show by Wu Yue, a Paris-based illustrator who has worked with diverse personalities including Kid Cudi and Lebron James.

The exhibition is a collaboration with gallery co-founder, Jasper Wong. Jasper’s known for his use of the color pink, as well as for inserting Mr.T and Superman into his artwork. This should be interesting! (more…)

“Untitled Enemies,” the new show by the Apostrophe Gallery, is opening up at The Peak Galleria this Wednesday. The exhibition includes work by a diverse group of artists including six from Hong Kong and seven from England, Australia and the U.S.. (There are a total of twenty-five contributors altogether!)

The collection boasts a wide variety of styles – but what’s the significance of the name – “Untitled Enemies”? (more…)

Here are two back-to-back art openings that may be interesting. The first, titled “Tangled,” takes place this Thursday in Central and features six artists united under the theme of hair! The venue? A hair salon on Glenealy Street.

The second exhibition, titled “Panic in Chai Wan,” features French-born artists L1ES ONE and YAZE, who both have graffiti influences in their work. The venue for their show is The Embassy, a large art space in Chai Wan Industrial City. (more…)

Why is this man trying to block my photo?

I was walking through Temple Street Night Market tonight, a spot known for souvenirs and knock-offs, when I noticed something new. As I passed by a stall that normally sells copies of posters from old Shanghai and canvases by Mainland artist Yue Minjun, I saw a different artist on display. (more…)

Diesel is known for working with young, cutting-edge artists, so why are they holding a show featuring a man now in his 90’s?

In CULTivate, a new exhibition opening on Friday, Diesel brings together artists whose work spans: illustration, fabric-art, mixed media and murals. In some ways, artist Lo Koon Chiu sticks stands out like a square peg. (more…)

Any doubts about whether tattoos are works of art are quashed looking at the work of artist Leon Lam-Hien. I’ve never seen contemporary art translated so powerfully to skin before. While some tattoos are clearly masterful, it’s rare to spot tattoos that evoke modern art so vividly.

This Friday and Saturday, shoppers at the Diesel flagship store in Central have a chance to meet Leon Lam-Hien and have him customize their newly purchased Diesel jeans. To qualify, shoppers must purchase any piece from the Fall / Winter denim collection. While supplies last, they also will receive a copy of local musician Phat Chan’s book, “Tat Addicts“.

Does it get any better than that? Yes it does! (more…)

French artist L1ES ONE has been active in Hong Kong for several years now. His art is rooted in graffiti, but often ventures into other territory. On Wednesday, July 29th, he’ll be opening a show of new work titled “DR1PS & BUBBLES” at the private club M1NT in Sheung Wan.

L1ES ONE is particularly good at tailoring his art to different spaces. Curious what his previous exhibitions looked like? (more…)

Hoo’s in the house?

Texas-based artist Matthew Bonifacio Rodriguez headlines a new show at the nomadic Apostrophe gallery. The exhibition, a group show titled CCTV, is being held in an abandoned office space high above Central.

In addition to traditional materials, Matthew Rodriguez’s art employs out-dated children’s toys, disregarded stuffed animals, found fabrics, and other expired materials.

Looking over his work I started to wonder – is there such a thing as a thrift store aesthetic? (more…)

Friday night I stopped by the opening of Partouze, a collaboration show between Taiwanese graffiti artist REACH, and Yasumasa Yonehara (aka Yone,) a Japanese photographer.

The exhibition is making its way around the region, with Shanghai hosting it last month, and Taipei following after Hong Kong.

Knowing little about the artists I was curious to see their work. (more…)

Takashi Murakami, Cherries, 2005

Here at Hong Kong Hustle we’ve previously discussed the fact that luxury brands are the new patrons of the arts. In the recently opened exhibition, “Louis Vuitton: a Passion for Creation,” the well known brand has created an exhibition worthy of its prominent name.

The large, multi-gallery show provides a rare glimpse at works from revered contemporary artists including Jean-Michel Basquait, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, and Takashi Murakami, to name just a few. This is an opportunity that doesn’t frequently present itself in Hong Kong.

The exhibition is larger than I expected and is broken up into several sections. Marc Jacobs, who was once artistic director of Louis Vuitton, is credited with spearheading the brand’s collaborations with contemporary artists. This was a wise move – Takashi Murakami’s designs for Louis Vuitton alone sold over $300 million U.S. dollars worth of merchandise! (more…)