THE BUSINESS OF CREATING NEW SPACES TO SHOWCASE ART
From location to artists’ needs, opening a gallery requires careful consideration of certain crucial factors, writes
As with any business that depends on a regular flow of in-person visitors, opening an art gallery involves a multitude of decisions about everything from location to layout, rental terms to public access.
But from the outset, special consideration must also be given to a key group – the artists whose work will be on show and, therefore, vital to the ultimate success of the venture.
Their needs and expectations have to be taken into account throughout the planning process, with due thought also given to the importance of being able to keep things fresh and interesting to attract visitors and collectors.
“Our new gallery has an abundance of natural light, making it possible to spotlight our artists in new and ambitious ways,” said Elaine Kwok, managing partner, Asia, for Hauser & Wirth, which recently relocated to street level at the junction of Duddell Street and Queen’s Road Central.
“We wanted a highly visible and accessible gallery that is an inviting, engaging and inspiring place for audiences and exhibitors alike.” The new space has four-metre high ceilings and no columns, which enhances the overall experience for everyone.
Ground-floor access makes it easy to move paintings, installations or sculptures in or out, and provides the flexibility for artists to show a wide range of works in terms of type and size.
“For us, this space is both a new chapter and a continuation,” said Kwok, noting that over the past six years Hauser & Wirth has become known for bringing internationally renowned artists to Hong Kong including Louise Bourgeois, Hans Arp, Roni Horn and Mark Bradford.
“In each case, we contextualise these exhibitions with additional talks and events. And through this programme, we have become embedded in the city’s art community.”
After initial inspections, Kwok’s team concluded that the space as originally available was “pretty fantastic” for their plans and purposes. That meant there was no need for extensive modifications, though they did decide to create a series of private viewing rooms on the first floor to ensure an optimal experience for clients.
During the design process, they also called on two trusted collaborators. One was Neil Wenman, the firm’s global creative director, who is a trained architect and has an incredible eye and an instinct for what will work best in different environments. The other was Annabelle Selldorf, who has created several exceptional spaces for Hauser & Wirth in various parts of the world since 1996, and has a real understanding and sense for what artists need to present their works to best effect.
Once the design and construction-related aspects were well on track, attention could turn to more detailed conversations with artists about coming programmes and any tie-in activities.
With a nod to the firm’s history in Asia – where it was active for decades before its first Hong Kong gallery opened in 2018 – an exhibition by Zhang Enli was chosen to debut the new space. The Shanghai-based artist made his name by documenting scenes from contemporary life, and he has been a favourite with the gallery since 2006.
“This show has marked a major milestone for the artist and the gallery, and we are looking forward to many more exciting moments to come,” Kwok said. “I think that if we are focused on and devoted to what we do, opportunities will come naturally and it will all work out.”
To coincide with Art Basel Hong Kong, there will be the first solo exhibition in China by Glenn Ligon, a highly-regarded African-American conceptual artist who has created new bodies of work for the occasion.
Taking inspiration from James Baldwin’s landmark 1953 essay “Stranger in the Village”, these new works demonstrate a radical use of text to explore identity and culture.
When drawing up plans for Woaw Gallery, which opened in 2019, founder Kevin Poon thought long and hard about location before settling on Star Street in Wan Chai.
What particularly impressed him at the time was the area’s vibrant energy and a unique atmosphere created by the cluster of designer brands, art spaces and neighbourhood cafes.
In terms of the guiding philosophy for the business, his primary objective was to offer a platform where artists and other creative individuals could showcase thought-provoking ideas. By finding further inspiration from that sense of empowerment, they might also experiment with new forms of their art.
“We also wanted to bridge the gap between cultures by delving into Western subjects that are seldom discussed in Asian countries,” Poon said. “Since the beginning, we have also taken pride in introducing talented Asian artists to the broader international scene and fostering cross-cultural exchanges.”
Like anyone else embarking on a brand-new project, Poon had concerns during the planning process about the advisability of setting up, day-to-day management and longer-term viability. But he believed in the importance of staying true to his vision and not allowing for doubts or hesitation.
“If I had overthought things, I might not have taken the leap to open the gallery,” he said.
Once the space was secured, the first step was to gut it completely and enlist the expertise of architects to oversee renovations. The agreed design was to reflect an ultracontemporary aesthetic in a deliberate move away from the traditional white cube concept. This meant incorporating elements such as steel and polypropylene, and making the most of high ceilings.
“I learned that it is extremely hard to find financial backing for this kind of new venture, and timing plays a crucial role,” Poon said. “In fact, timing is everything. It seemed that every problem that I couldn’t foresee or anticipate happened along the way.”
Now, though, after the lifting of pandemic restrictions, things are definitely looking up with an expanding series of exhibitions and events.
“Rather than adhering to a specific style or genre, we will showcase artists who inspire us,” Poon says. “We will focus on works that evoke thought, creativity and innovation.”