Life as Expat Artist in HK

[sarpesius]

The Jobs forum may not be quite right for a request for info on living and working in HK as an expat artist.

Does anyone know anything about the art scene in HK?

If so, are the galleries good?

Are there a range of galleries?

Do you have to part of an in-crowd to get any action?

What are prices like? Do HKers like art?

Is there a thriving art community there?

What are the major trends, movements: abstract, surrealist, impressionist, minimal?

[PDLM]

Given up on the coffee shop idea already?

What sort of visa are you planning to get?

[goleoboy]

that was my question too - how does an expat artist actually stay in HK (legally)... that may be difficult.

[sarpesius]

[john mac]

I suggest you pick up a copy of ?Asian Art News? or similar magazines available in most bookshops. It has info on current exhibitions and trends.
There are links here to addresses of Galleries in HK or check out the exhibitions in HK magazine or SCMP.
There a lots, you can see what is happening first hand, and they will have prices displayed.
Did you go on the Art walk? If not, follow a similar trail around Central, attend some exhibitions. Display your own work.

[srhatton]

If you make it to Hong Kong check out the Cattle Depot artist village in To Kwa Wan (sp?) it is super cool with galleries. This artist village has connections with the community but I am assuming it is very expensive to rent a studio through them. Most of the galleries there carry very academic looking art. I would say HK is not the best place for an artist, but I guess it depends on the art you do. HK seriously needs some sort of First Friday artwalk like most cities in the US now have. That would be so great, if HK could support an artist district but yeah right that would never really happen. Anyways I am not there anymore but def check out the Cattle Depot. Also, there are a couple of cool new media galleries over in Sai Wan (western market).

[srhatton]

If you like kids and want to support yourself and get a visa, Kids' Gallery is always hiring new art teachers. There is another place too called Colourful Kids and the owner there is a really awesome lady named Fortuna Sung. I almost worked at both but came back to the US for grad school instead. I also worked at a place called English Excel, didnt do as much art teaching but had a blast and my boss was really supportive. Keep your employment options open and I think you can make it.

http://www.kidsgallery.com/
http://www.colourfulkids.com/
http://www.english-excel.com/index2.php

At some point I want to get back to HK and do some art too. Maybe a Fullbright, or winning the lottery? Heh.