Check out the UBS booth at Art Basel Hong Kong that celebrates this partnership

Chankalun © July Brunner

As Global Lead Partner of Art Basel, UBS presents a program focused on artist responses to city life, this is reflective of its connection to the urban environment. 2024 marks the 10th year of UBS’s partnership with Art Basel Hong Kong, and the show’s return to pre-pandemic scale with 66 additional exhibitors participating compared to 2023.

Celebrating A Decade

UBS showcased three presentations across the fair, including the debut of its new ‘UBS One’ lounge. UBS’s program at Art Basel Hong Kong provides a platform for artists working at the forefront of their practice, dedicated to showcasing the latest artistic innovations.

Evening Sun on Lion Rock, 2024, Chankalun © CeeKayEllo (CKL)

Additionally, the UBS Art Collection presents City Visions in the UBS Lounge (Level 4). The group show was presented by multidisciplinary artists who engage with the city landscape and explore the urban living experience through different perspectives. The presentation provides unique insights into navigating contemporary society and focuses on themes of urbanism and globalisation.

The Highlights

As part of the presentation, the UBS Art Collection unveils a new commission by artist Chen Wei from Mainland China, an LED sculpture entitled ‘How are you Hong Kong’ (2023). This work draws inspiration from LED advertising screens ubiquitous in contemporary cities and incorporates colloquial greeting words used in Hong Kong.

Chen Wei, artist, Courtesy of Chen Wei and Blindspot Gallery

On top of that, the UBS Art Studio (Level 1) also explores the theme of city life and features a unique work by neon artist Chankalun that pays homage to Hong Kong’s iconic craft of neon signage and is inspired by the city’s Lion Rock spirit. Through her work, ‘Dawn of Lion Rock’, Chankalun aims to redefine the perception of neon art, and showcase its diverse potential.

A New Concept

UBS Lounge installation view Chen Wei, How are you Hong Kong, 2023, Mushroom, 2016, © Chen Wei

The concept of the public space (formerly known as the Junior Art Hub) was developed by Hong Kong-based design studio EDITECTURE with art workshops for young visitors themed around creativity and sustainability to be led by Color My World. Upcycled furniture in the UBS Art Studio will be donated to kindergartens under the Yan Chai Hospital.

This year for the first time, UBS also presented a second lounge, UBS One (Level 3), designed for the next generation of its clients, which showcases Evening Sun on Lion Rock, another neon work by Chankalun.

Featured image: Dawn of Lion Rock, 2024, Chankalun © CeeKayEllo (CKL)