Hues of Humanity at Pace Gallery Hong Kong

Vibrant hues saturate Pace Gallery‘s Hong Kong location in the group show All Walks of Life (15 December 2023–18 January 2024), presenting a selection of contemporary paintings by seven artists from Hong Kong, the U.S., and Europe. They are Anthony Cudahy, Katja Farin, Aubrey Levinthal, Laurent Proux, Daisy May Sheff, Sarah Slappey, and Fabian Treibe.

Curated by William Zhao, a critic and collector based in Hong Kong who was interviewed by Ocula Magazine in 2013, the exhibition explores the intersections between the uncanny and the familiar in the face of globalisation.

Especially striking are Katja Farin’s dreamy paintings. The Los Angeles-based artist paints her subjects engaged in everyday activities—talking, drinking, playing darts. Their blue, purple, and orange skin tones, however, coupled with wide, hyper-alert eyes suggest something is off.

Aubrey Levinthal’s painting Campus (Snow) (2023) also stands out. The painting captures a backpack-wearing student schlepping between buildings.

Using a palette of muted blues, beiges, and snowy greys, the painting is punctuated with a vibrant slice of bright pink on the right side. The scene, quiet and contemplative, exudes a sense of stillness and melancholy. Levinthal skillfully plays with opacity and translucency, creating a shifting perception that evolves as one engages with the artwork.