“Andy Warhol’s Long Shadow”
Where: Gagosian
When: March 25 – May 11
Why It’s Worth a Look: "Andy Warhol's Long Shadow," organized by Jessica Beck at Gagosian, reveals the timeless influence of Warhol's work, spanning from his early intimate drawings to his later ventures into photography and television. The exhibition positions Warhol's greatest works—such as Silver Liz [Studio Type], Mao, Marilyn Monrow, and the Screen Test film of Donyale Luna—alongside pieces by his successors and contemporaries, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Urs Fischer, and Takashi Murakami.
Know Before You Go: Jean-Michel Basquiat’s double portrait of himself with Warhol, Dos Cabezas, 1982, was made shortly after Basquiat first met his idol, while Sweet Pungent, 1984–85, is one of more than 160 paintings on which the pair collaborated—it also saw Warhol return to painting by hand.
“Here on Earth” by Louise Giovanelli
Where: White Cube
When: March 25 – May 18
Why It’s Worth a Look: In this new collection of work by the British painter, she doubles and repeats the motif of a central female figure, capturing her in a moment of rapture. Parallels are drawn between traditional forms of worship and the modern-day adulation found in pop culture, social media, and the spectacle of concerts, presenting these arenas as today's "contemporary churches."
Know Before You Go: Don’t be surprised if you see some familiar faces (or legs): Giovannelli pulls from Sissy Spacek in Carrie for Altar, 2022, and her work Surface to air, 2022, is a painting of Mariah Carey’s legs.
“Sea Change” by Kylie Manning
Where: Pace
When: March 26 – May 18
Why It’s Worth a Look: Known for her atmospheric and lyrical paintings, Manning ventures into the balance between motion and stillness, abstraction and figuration, in five large-scale paintings imbued with her childhood in Alaska and Mexico. These works, shown here in Manning’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, were created following her collaboration with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon in 2023.
Know Before You Go: Accompanying the exhibition is Manning’s first catalog published by Pace, featuring an essay by art historian Ted Barrow, which delves into the underpinnings of her work.
"Glenn Ligon"
Where: Hauser & Wirth
When: March 25 - May 11
Why It’s Worth a Look: Ligon’s exhibition is a multifaceted exploration of cultural and identity politics through text-based paintings, showcasing Ligon’s continued engagement with James Baldwin’s seminal essay, Stranger in the Village. Evocative "Stranger" paintings are hung alongside a fresh series of abstract works titled "Static" and a collection of untitled drawings on Kozo paper.
Know Before You Go: In June, Hauser & Worth Publishers will release a new book, Glenn Ligon: Distinguishing Piss from Rain; Writings and Interviews, edited by James Hodd.
“Butterfly Dream” by Xiyadie
Where: Blindspot Gallery
When: March 26 - May 11
Why It’s Worth a Look: Blindspot Gallery presents an exhibition that spans Xiyadie’s career from the early '80s to present, with over 30 pieces, including previously unseen works. Born in Shaanxi province in 1963, the self-named and self-taught artist utilizes the traditional Chinese art of papercutting to craft autobiographical works that articulate his experiences as a gay man in rural China. His creations vividly portray the challenges faced by those in the LGBTQI+ community.
Know Before You Go: The title "Butterfly Dream" draws from Xiyadie’s own pseudonym, which translates to Siberian Butterfly—a symbol of resilience and grace in the face of adversity.
“Kung Hei Fat Choi” by Yan Pei-Ming
Where: Massimo de Carlo
When: March 25 – May 11
Why It’s Worth a Look: This collection focuses on the quiet grandeur of Buddha statues and divinities, often found in makeshift sanctuaries. What were once static sculptures are re-envisioned as vibrant, living entities. His paintings, characterized by sweeping brushstrokes and a nuanced use of sfumato, capture these figures in moments of blissful meditation and joyful tranquility.
Know Before You Go: The artist rarely shies away from portraiture of monumental figures, having already tackled Mao Zedong, the Pope, and Bruce Lee in previous work.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Noir & Blanc—A Story of Photography”
Where: M+
When: March 16 - July 1
Why It’s Worth a Look: This exhibition, launched alongside the French May Arts Festival 2024, brings together over 250 photographs from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France’s collection, alongside over 30 selections from the M+ collections. The exhibition is organized into three thematic sections: "Aiming for Contrast" on the fabric of daily life, "Light and Shadow" on the manipulation of light, and "Colour Chart" on the subtle tonal gradations of gray.
Know Before You Go: The works span from 1915 to 2019, featuring over 170 globally acclaimed photographers, such as Man Ray, Diane Arbus, and Henri Cartier-Bresson alongside M+’s works by Ho Fan, Chang Chao-Tang, and Nalini Malani.
“Gaze of the Unknown” by Daisuke Teshima
Where: Karin Weber Gallery
When: March 14 - April 6
Why It’s Worth a Look: "Gaze of the Unknown" marks Teshima’s inaugural solo exhibition in Hong Kong, showcasing a collection of his signature wooden sculptures alongside a new series of pencil drawings. While Teshima’s wood carvings hold a deep reverence for human existence, Teshima’s drawing series reveals a lighter, more whimsical aspect of his artistry, depicting youthful, innocent subjects.
Know Before You Go: The exhibition's title, "Gaze of the Unknown," echoes Buddhist philosophical themes and the mystical insights associated with divine wisdom.
"Izumi Kato"
Where: Perrotin
When: March 24 - May 18
Why It’s Worth a Look: Kato’s artistic universe is populated with intriguing, almost ethereal figures that straddle the boundary between humanity and otherworldliness. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of Japanese folklore and the animistic heritage of Shintoism, Kato’s figures resonate with the essence of Kodama (tree spirits), distinguished by their slender, elongated limbs.
Know Before You Go: Izumi Kato’s roots in Shimane Prefecture, a region steeped in mythology and surrounded by the natural beauty of Japan’s coast, deeply influence his visual lexicon.
“Who is Who” by Sarah Morris
Where: Tai Kwun Contemporary
When: March 16 - April 14
Why It’s Worth a Look: Tai Kwun Contemporary presents Morris’s most recent film, ETC, alongside a site-specific painting titled Lippo [Paul Rudolph]. ETC explores Hong Kong’s electronic and digital life, while her wall painting reinterprets the surrounding architecture, delving into the city’s psychological landscape and its residents’ inner lives.
Know Before You Go: ETC marks the 16th film in Morris’s career and stars architect James Kinoshita, actress Josie Ho, and designer Henry Steiner.
“Wifredo Lam: Homecoming”
Where: Asia Society
When: March 23 - June 2
Why It’s Worth a Look: This exhibition highlights Lam’s exploration of his diverse heritage and showcases his ability to synthesize a range of influences—from European avant-garde movements to Afro-Cuban spirituality—into a distinctive visual language. Among other pieces, Lam’s iconic work La jungla, 1943, is on view, a transcendence of the boundaries of Western art traditions. It instead embodies Cuban culture and its African roots.
Know Before You Go: The exhibition traverses Lam’s artistic evolution, from his early years in Havana and Spain to influential periods in Paris, Marseille, and his return to Cuba.
