Art Basel has unveiled new details for its 2025 edition in Hong Kong, which promises a dynamic showcase of global and regional artistic talent, alongside expanded public programming and special sectors. Set to take place from March 28 to 30, 2025, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), with preview days on March 26 and 27, the fair will feature 240 exhibitors from 42 countries and territories, including 23 first-time participants.
The 2025 edition reflects Art Basel’s commitment to diversity and its vital role as a platform for Asia-Pacific’s vibrant art scene, with more than half of participating galleries hailing from the region. Alongside its exhibitions, Art Basel will host a week-long program of onsite and offsite events, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a global cultural hub.
Curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor, the Encounters sector will feature 18 large-scale installations structured around four platforms: Passage, Alteration, Charge, and The Return. This marks Glass-Kantor’s final year as curator for the sector, which emphasizes themes like storytelling, materiality, and the cyclical nature of existence.
Highlights from the Encounters sector include Pacita Abad’s monumental paintings, which delve into the iconographies of the Global South (Passage); Christopher K. Ho’s brass sculptures, referencing the visual language of Modernism (Alteration); and Lu Yang’s pop-up store featuring works created by a digital avatar (Charge). Also featured are Vajiko Chachkhiani’s exploration of migration cycles and displacement (The Return) and Monster Chetwynd’s Lanternfly Ballet, a site-specific performance blending sculpture and choreography at Pacific Place, supported by Swire Properties.
A record 36 galleries will participate in Kabinett, the sector dedicated to thematic presentations within booths, with a strong emphasis on solo projects from the Asia-Pacific region. Notable presentations include Martin Wong’s ceramics and paintings from the late 1960s, presented by P.P.O.W.; post-Mao ink paintings showcasing diverse techniques, presented by Ink Studio; and Takahiro Kondo’s ceramic works, which utilize his patented “Silver Mist” technique, presented by Tokyo Gallery + BTAP.
The inaugural MGM Discoveries Art Prize will recognize emerging artists, offering a $50,000 award shared between the winning artist and their gallery. The shortlist includes Shin Min (P21), Kayode Ojo (Sweetwater), and Saju Kunhan (Tarq). The winner will be announced during the fair.
The Film program, curated by Hong Kong’s Para Site, will feature seven screenings showcasing 30 artists’ works. Themed “In Space, It’s Always Night,” the program explores ecological interdependence, Queer identity, and technological realities.
Highlights from the Film program include Isadora Neves Marques’ Vampires in Space, which reflects on Queer family structures; Carlos Motta’s Corpo Fechado, revisiting the history of syncretic religions; and Videotage’s The Pixelated You, a program spotlighting Hong Kong-based video artists.
The Conversations program will host panels featuring leading voices in art and culture. Topics range from AI’s influence on art to the intersection of design and architecture. Offsite collaborations with cultural institutions like M+ and Tai Kwun will expand public access to the event.
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 introduces new partners, including Design Trust, HASS Lab, and Tomorrow Maybe. Additionally, the Art Basel Shop will make its debut, offering curated lifestyle products.