Art agenda: 5 Hong Kong art exhibitions to see in April 2021

With three public holidays in April, that’s plenty of time to explore all the art Hong Kong has to offer. Here are the best exhibitions to check out this month:

Jack Whitten 

This month, Hauser & Wirth Hong Kong presents American abstractionist Jack Whitten’s first solo exhibition in Asia. Celebrated for his innovative processes of applying paint to the surface of his canvases and transfiguring their material terrains, Whitten’s work is a bridge between mechanical automation and human expression.

Blurring the line between sculpture and painting, his works from the 1960s to the 2010s consist of rarely seen paintings, sculptures and works on paper, which emphasise the artist’s playfulness and improvisational skill.

On from now until 31 July 2021

Hauser & Wirth, 15-16/F, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Ready\Set\Fulfill

Ready\Set\Fulfill is a collaborative project between Andrew Luk and Samuel Swope. The exhibition comprises sculptural and multimedia installations that collectively form a sprawling drone racecourse throughout the gallery space. Artworks double as obstacles for the drones and include specially designed “Gaudi loops”.

The races advance a conversation about humanity’s relationship to speed and progress at large, while exemplifying philosopher Paul Virilio’s concept of dromology (the science of speed). This exhibition also explores the history and future of architecture as well as humanity’s relationship to speed and technological progress.

On from now until 8 May 2021

de Sarthe Gallery, 20/F Global Trade Square, 21 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang

Paola Pivi: Why Not?

Italian artist Paola Pivi’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong “Why not?” comes nine years after her majestic solo show at Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai. “Bear foot”, a never-before-seen piece, is a whimsical creation representing a new take on reality.

Encompassing different mediums, varying from large-scale installation to photography, sculpture, and performance, the artist uses various media to translate real-life situations into light-hearted artistic expression. Pivi’s works are simple, with ordinary objects often placed in extraordinary positions, providing a new, unexpected perspective.

On now until 7 May 2021

Massimo De Carlo, 301, 3rd Floor, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central

Go Yayanagi

After dropping out of university, Go Yayanagi moved to São Paulo, Brazil to pursue a creative journey. Yayanagi believes art should be incorporated into everyday life rather than displayed ostentatiously, and therefore creates works in a wide range of formats – from oil painting, printing, mosaic mural, and stained glass, to textile and fashion design.

Contextualising social conditions of the time, he combines bold colours with eroticism and humour. Inspired by his many travels, Yayanagi aims to create art without borders.

On from now until 8 May 2021

Whitestone Gallery, H Queen’s, 7-8/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, +852 2523 8001

Creations Enlivened: Metal

Crafts on Peel’s latest exhibition presents six collaborative metal crafts collections, created by both traditional and contemporary craftsmen. Working with an array of metals including copper, silver and tin, the exhibition displays pieces that reflect the the history of metalwork with elements of modern culture. The highlight is the impressive copper still created in collaboration with Two Moons Distillery. Its impressive size and high shine are particularly eye-catching.

On from now until 24 July 2021

Crafts on Peel, 11 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong

See also: Art agenda: 5 Hong Kong exhibitions to see in March 2021