A discussion between Hong Kong based curators Hilda Chan, Vennes Cheng, Yip Kai Chun and Orlean Lai on how to navigate the changing landscapes of curatorial expression. Fostering our own conversations they identify the new roles of curators in the 21st Century going beyond physical walls to a virtual world and seeking innovative ways to collaborate and empower audiences. Time to spark meaningful connections, revelations and unearth ourselves.

Hilda Chan is an independent curator and gallery manager based in Hong Kong. She aims to foster across disciplines collaborations in her projects and is interested to explore issues related to identities, culture, and media. She was awarded the Local Arts Administration Scholarships 2017 from HKADC and graduated from The University of Hong Kong with a Master of Social Science (Media, Culture, Creative Cities) with first-class honours. She also graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Selected curatorial projects including “Otherworlds: non/digital realities”(Gillman Barracks, SG, 2021), “Up Close -Hollywood Road” (Hollywood Road, HK, 2020), “Transition, WMA Open” (WYNG, HK, 2019), "Plastic, plastic everywhere" (HKUST Arts Festival, HK, 2019), “Ritual of Synthesis” (Gallery Exit, HK, 2019). She was also selected as the Mur Nomade "OpenCall for Young Curator" in 2016.

Vennes Cheng, is a scholar, researcher, writer, and curator based in Hong Kong, and is currently a PhD Candidate in Art History at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Cheng’s research areas include art archives, archival art practices, and historical and mnemonic contingency. Cheng’s articles have been published in Visual Art Archive in Asia, Yishu, The Museum Worlds, O’Square and Hong Kong Studies. She spoke on the art archives of Hong Kong at the Seoul Media city Biennale in 2018. Cheng is selected fellow of documenta fellowship 2021; she was one of the selected emerging art professionals of Para Site in 2018. Cheng received an MA in cultural studies from Goldsmiths, University of London. Previously, she was a senior television producer of art and culture programs such as The Works and Artspiration of Radio Television Hong Kong.

Yip Kai Chun is an artist-curator born and based in Hong Kong. He considers curation an extension of his artistic practice. Favouring art in real-life spaces, his curatorial projects have taken place at the corners of the outer islands, in the evening back alleys in Kwun Tong, and on the rooftops of an industrial building and a tong lau. He strives for dissolving conventional boundaries –between different art forms, art making and curation, the traditional and contemporary, and art and non-art.

Join us for this series of behind-the-scenes programs that will allow us to observe the conversations of some of Hong Kong’s finest artists, collectors and curators. Each session is designed to take a peek behind the curtain as the speakers connect, discuss, share thoughts and gather ideas without boundaries. Watch these conversations flow LIVE at the Art Central auditorium.

Small Talks Series

May 19th - Collector's Circle

May 20th - Encountering Strangers

May 21st - Innovating expression

May 22nd - Independent Art Spaces 

May 23rd - Spatial Traces