esea contemporary is pleased to present Art in Hong Kong: A Book Talk by Enid Tsui, an in-depth event exploring the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of Hong Kong’s contemporary art scene through the lens of a city in transition.
In this talk, author and long-time cultural journalist Enid Tsui will introduce her new book, Art in Hong Kong – Portrait of a City in Flux, a compelling and timely account of how Hong Kong’s once-unquestioned status as Asia’s leading art hub is being reshaped by shifting political, social, and cultural forces. Drawing on years of close, intentional observation of the region’s creative industries, Tsui presents a balanced and insightful picture of recent changes in a city once viewed as the poster child of artistic freedom in Asia and the undisputed leader of the region's booming contemporary art market.
The book lifts the lid on a diverse and often paradoxical art scene: a former British colony where artists have long drawn inspiration from the interplay between East and West, and where the new M+ museum and other world-class institutions must navigate the tightrope of fostering vibrant cultural expression while abiding by China’s national security regime. Despite an exodus of talent and uncertainties surrounding censorship, Tsui’s account reveals the resilience of Hong Kong’s art market, the continuing expansion of international auction houses and galleries, and the evolving ambitions of its institutions.
In her words, the book is a response to the polarised opinions surrounding Hong Kong’s recent history, offering space for deeper reflection on the city’s cultural complexities.
As Xiaowen Zhu, Director of esea contemporary, notes:
“This is a nuanced interrogation of Hong Kong's evolving art scene. Enid Tsui dismantles the ‘cultural desert’ myth with a sharp, incisive analysis of its hybrid identity and geopolitical shifts – essential reading for those seeking deeper insights into the city's artistic transformation.”
The event will include a presentation by Tsui, followed by a conversation with Zhu. Their discussion will explore the broader implications of Hong Kong’s shifting identity as a global art platform, and how artists, curators, and institutions continue to adapt under new and challenging conditions.
Booking is required – join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation and critical reflection on one of the world’s most complex and compelling cultural crossroads.
The book is available to purchase via our online shop and will also be on sale at the event.
Enid Tsui has been the Arts Editor of the South China Morning Post, the 122-year-old English language newspaper in Hong Kong, since 2020. She writes and commissions articles about the art market, visual arts, performing arts and cultural policy, focusing on stories that matter to readers in Hong Kong, across Asia and those interested in the cultural development of the region. She began to cover the Asian art market when she was the Hong Kong Correspondent of the Financial Times, and started writing about artists and exhibitions for the SCMP in 2014. She has also been a radio host on RTHK Radio 3 and Editor-in-Chief of CFO China, a finance magazine published by the Economist Group. She has an MA in art history.
