Art Basel Hong Kong Bounces Back With 242 Galleries for 2024

The number of galleries is up 37% from this year's fair, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels of participation.

Art Basel Hong Kong appears to have at last recovered from a nadir caused by protests and pandemic restrictions.

'Art Basel Hong Kong is excited to announce our 2024 edition, returning in full scale with a warm welcome to exhibitors from around the world, including the 68 galleries that had taken a hiatus and 25 newcomers,' said the event's director, Angelle Siyang-Le, in a statement.

The total number of participating galleries is up to 242, the same number that took part in 2019. Art Basel in Hong Kong was cancelled in 2020, and just 104 galleries joined in 2021 rising to 130 galleries in 2022, and 177 galleries this year.

China's contribution to the global art market fell from 20% in 2021 to 17% in 2022 as the People's Republic dealt with a surge in Covid-19 infections after finally relaxing its tough restrictions. Exhibitor's at this year's fair, however, were optimistic that the tide had turned.

'Hong Kong is well and truly back,' White Cube's General Manager in Asia Wendy Xu told Ocula after selling around 30 works totalling over £5 million (US $6.1 million).

Art Basel Hong Kong will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 28 to 30 March, 2024, with Preview Days on March 26 and 27. —[O]