Stability is not something we have seen in the art world for some time.
As Art Basel Hong Kong Director Angelle Siyang-Le notes, what we are witnessing is not decline, but a period of restructuring.

Roles within the art ecosystem are shifting, even if it is not always immediately ...visible. At the same time, new galleries continue to open, and this is a positive that’ often overlooked.

Catch this week’s episode of the Pearl Lam podcast on YouTube.

#PearlLam #ArtWorld #ArtMarket #ContemporaryArt #ArtGalleries

There is a shift in how Asian galleries are positioning themselves. Rather than following established narratives, there is a growing confidence in foregrounding their own histories and perspectives.

This creates a two-way cultural exchange, and encourages new artistic discourse.

... Art Basel Hong Kong Director Angelle Siyang-Le dives into this topic on The Pearl Lam Podcast, now available on YouTube and Spotify.

#PearlLam #ArtBaselHongKong #ContemporaryArt #ArtWorld #AsianArt

Growth in Asia is not always about price.

As Angelle Siyang-Le, Director of Art Basel Hong Kong, notes, that we are seeing more expansion, more collectors coming in, and more activity across the region.

It’s not just about “young” collectors, but also those who are still ...forming their perspectives on how they appreciate and collect art.

Tune in to The Pearl Lam Podcast, now available on YouTube and Spotify.

When you think of art spaces, white cube galleries and historic museums frequently come to mind. But something I’ve been enjoying noticing is the rise of unorthodox unused spaces being re-purposed for art.

Last year, a former fortune cookie factory in Denver was repurposed into a ...cutting-edge, non-profit art space. It re-opened as the Cookie Factory @cookiefactorydenver, which works with celebrated artists to create new, site-specific works inspired by the city and its home state of Colorado. Amidst the rolling fields of Hertfordshire, England, the Henry Moore Studios & Gardens @henrymoorestudios has also expanded its grounds with the Sheep Field Barn. Once used to store materials and sheep fodder, it’s now an exhibition and education space built with reclaimed timber.

This kind of transformation isn’t entirely new: London’s Tate Modern @tate was once a power station, and Shanghai’s Power Station of Art @powerstationofart still reflects its industrial origins. But what I’m most pleased by is the deeper consideration of how art spaces respond to their surroundings, and the more memorable, immersive experiences they offer visitors.

What was the most unconventional art space you’ve visited? Let me know in the comments.

References:
https://www.frieze.com/article/jerome-sans-denvers-new-cookie-factory-art-space
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/mar/23/henry-moore-sheep-barn-gallery-war-masterpieces

#PearlLam #ContemporaryArt #ArtGallery #ArtTravel

When AI can generate ideas instantly, the question is what remains of conceptual art. At the same time, many artists trained under Western systems are no longer working with their hands in the same way.

Perhaps in the future, the physical act of making will see a resurgence.

...Explore more, only on The Pearl Lam Podcast.

#PearlLam #ContemporaryArt #ArtAndTechnology #ArtMarket #AIArt

One of my favourite things about visiting @artbasel Hong Kong year after year is the sheer number of fascinating conversations I get to partake in. There seemed to be a renewed energy in the air, and it was lovely to reconnect with familiar faces while meeting new ones along the way.

A ...special thank you to Cassi Young @cassiyoung from Bonhams @bonhams1793 for joining me – her perspective on this year’s edition and what continues to make Art Basel Hong Kong such a unique and exciting event.

If you attended, let me know what you thought about the fair below.

#PearlLam #ContemporaryArt #ArtFair #ArtBasel #ArtBaselHongKong

As a gallerist, the cost of keeping operations running has changed completely.

Shipping has increased significantly, booth prices have gone up, and participating in major art fairs is becoming much more difficult, especially for mid-sized galleries.

There was a time when doing ...twelve or thirteen fairs a year was possible. That is no longer the case.

I’m joined by Art Basel Hong Kong director Angelle Siyang-Le on this week’s episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast to discuss all this and more. Discover now on YouTube and Spotify.

#PearlLam #ArtMarket #ArtWorld #ContemporaryArt #Galleries ArtFairs

In this week’s episode of The Pearl Lam, I’m joined by Angelle Siyang-Le, Director of Art Basel Hong Kong.

We discuss the forces shaping the contemporary art world today, from differing perspectives between East and West, to how cultural value is formed and understood. As well as ...reflecting on Hong Kong’s position, and what it means to build a cultural centre in an increasingly interconnected world.

Discover the full episode now, available on YouTube and Spotify!

Western contemporary art can be very attractive, especially for younger artists.

But as Chinese artist Qiu Anxiong shares, the appeal changes once you begin to understand where your own roots are. After studying in Europe, he realised his foundation was not there, but in China.
That ...decision shaped everything that followed.

Continue the conversation with David Chan and Qiu Anxiong on The Pearl Lam Podcast.

Museums and galleries have long been styled as cultural landmarks in cities across the globe, opening their doors to anyone curious about art. Interestingly, I’ve noticed a new trend: one where auction houses are increasingly doing the same.

Many might consider auction houses to be ...bastions of mystery, but key players – think Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Philips, and Bonhams – are hard at work to draw in the public. This looks like exhibitions showcasing items meant to go under the hammer, in an attempt to both build a new reputation as approachable brands, as well as entice potential new collectors.

Times are certainly changing in the art world and I’m curious about a future where we get to see auction houses enjoy the same visitor numbers that a museum might. On top of that, I wonder if this does anything to stimulate the art market as a whole – and I look forward to finding out.

Reference: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/27/style/art-market-2026-bonhams-sothebys

#PearlLam #ContemporaryArt #AuctionHouse

Contemporary art shouldn’t be solely for a select audience, but for everyone. It should be for everyone.

As curator David Chan points out, the role of curators and institutions is not only to support artists, but also to make space for the work to exist – and to build a language around... it so people can come to it more easily.

From my latest episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast.

Building audiences’ widespread interest in culture requires more than a single museum; it involves partnerships by major players in the industry.

It means bringing major exhibitions from western museums closer to audiences, particularly those in Asia, who would not otherwise travel to ...see them.

Discover more now, only on The Pearl Lam Podcast. Available on YouTube and Spotify

I’m thrilled to share that my conversation with the brilliant Dr. Cleo Roberts Dr Cleo Roberts-Komireddi for her podcast, Art Worlds, is now live.

Hot off the heels of Art Basel Hong Kong, we had a lovely chat about my journey shaping Hong Kong and China’s art scenes. I also spoke ...about my mission to bridge the East and West through promoting a nuanced reading of Asian art to challenge common misconceptions.

Tune into the whole episode here:
https://shows.acast.com/art-worlds/episodes/art-worlds-hong-kong2

#PearlLam #ContemporaryArt #VisualArt #ArtPodcast

“Every biennial had to have a Chinese artist. Otherwise, you aren’t really a biennial.”

In this exchange, I reflect on a period when Chinese artists were in high demand internationally. As Qiu Anxiong continues, that moment brought real opportunities, with curators coming to China ...and artists gaining access to global exhibitions.

Join Qiu Anxiong, David Chan and I for the full episode, only on The Pearl Lam Podcast.

As technology companies grow, their role in culture becomes more visible.

In this exchange, artist Qiu Anxiong reflects on how companies such as Tencent and JD.com are investing in major museum projects in Shenzhen. It points to a shift where private capital is not only creating wealth, ...but also shaping cultural infrastructure.

Uncover more on The Pearl Lam Podcast, available on YouTube and Spotify.