Hollywood Road

HOLLYWOOD ROAD

Although more well-known for its antique shops, contemporary art galleries started opening along Hollywood Road in the late 1980’s. A hundred years earlier, Hollywood Road was very close to the coast, and merchants and sailors would put up antiques and artefacts for sale here after their return from the Mainland, thus starting the trend for antique shops along the road. Hollywood Road is Hong Kong’s second oldest road. With some narrow winding streets and uneven stone steps, be sure to wear comfortable shoes when exploring art in this neighbourhood.

Take note of the ‘Central West’ monthly event spearheaded by the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association. Please check HKAGA’s calendar for their tailored schedule of gallery programmes and special events that take place once a month in this area, usually on Thursday afternoons through evenings, and sometimes on weekends.

Villepin

Start at Villepin at the Lyndhurst Terrace / Hollywood Road junction, established by French father-son duo, Dominique and Arthur de Villepin in 2020. A gallery inspired by their own art collections – especially in the genre of post-war art – the gallery aims to bridge the gap between artists and collectors. Though their presentations have not been many, each one is well thought out and superbly-curated. 

Next, head across the street to La Galerie Paris 1839, founded in 2015 by French partners Cyril Delettre and Marie-Florence Gros, themselves also artists. The gallery specialises in art photography and prints, presenting various aspects of photographic work from fine art photography to press photographs. It also hosts regular events to showcase their artists, including collaborations and special artist talks.

Karin Weber Gallery

Karin Weber Gallery is just around the corner up on Aberdeen Street off Hollywood Road. A small boutique contemporary gallery with a global outlook, it was established in 1999, and showcases international as well as local talents. The gallery has a rich programme of events and talks, and is also known for featuring Burmese artists in their repertoire. Director Kenneth Young has been a staunch supporter of local talent and their group shows always draw a large crowd.

Located just a 3-minute walk away on Staunton Street, JPS Art Gallery presents works of emerging and established artists. Established in 2014, it is dedicated to exploring the art and pop culture of today’s society, focussing on multi-media works that embody today’s pop aesthetics. Think art toys, collectibles, performances, and fun cross-over collaborations.

PMQ

Cross Aberdeen Street to find PMQ (a Grade III historic building and the old Police Married Headquarters), a mixed used venue for arts and design, hosting regular pop-up exhibitions and art events. The top floor of Block B houses the Korean Cultural Centre, which has an ongoing exhibition of modern and traditional art and artisanal crafts from Korea. They have showcased some of the most beautiful moon jars we have seen.

Man Mo Temple

Continuing on our journey, continue walking  west along Hollywood Road until you come to Man Mo Temple to your left at the junction of Square Street. A Grade I Historic Building well-known for its architectural craftsmanship, the temple is a place of worship for the civil & literature god, Man Tai, and the martial god, Mo Tai.

Across Man Mo Temple, you can pay a visit to the Liang Yi Museum, a private museum of design, craftsmanship and heritage. Started in the 1980s with many of the earlier pieces purchased right on Hollywood Road, the present collection has grown to over 400 pieces. A must-see for lovers of traditional Chinese furniture, silver, and traditional works of art, visits are by appointment only, with an admission fee that includes a tour of the collections. Please note that children under 12 are not permitted.

Soluna Fine Art

Continue to walk west until you reach Sai Street to your left, where Soluna Fine Art is located. Established in 2017, founder Rachel Lee brings to Hong Kong a selection of Korean art that is both modern and contemporary, with refreshing multi-media works ranging from sculptures to paintings to ceramics. The charm of this particular Tai Ping Shan neighbourhood adds to the quaintness of the gallery.

Leo Gallery

Leo Gallery is along the same street. Founded in 2008 in Shanghai, the gallery branched out to Hong Kong in 2014,  and has been instrumental in bridging East and West. It is also known for promoting emerging and established artists from the Mainland China region. Memorable exhibitions in the past include presentations by Cai Zhisong, Cang Xin, Martin Wehmer, and Patricia Waller.

Flowers Gallery

On neighbouring Tung Street, the eponymous Flowers Gallery from London established its Hong Kong branch on the year of its 50th anniversary in 2020. Visits here are always delightful – with an arresting grey exterior, the gallery not only presents a rich photography programme, but is also a platform for emerging young artists across a wide range of media.

For those not afraid of the stairs so iconic of this area, walk up to the more quiet and residential Pound Lane to visit Blue Lotus Gallery. The gallery focusses strongly on photography with an emphasis on Hong Kong culture and identity, but also offers a selection of vintage and limited edition prints and books. It is the exclusive representative of Fan Ho and the sole agent of Wing Shya – two Hong Kong names that all photography aficionados should be familiar with.

Double Q Gallery

A 3 minute’s walk down Lok Ku Road will bring you to the home of Double Q Gallery. Founded in 2022 by Queenie Rosita Law, the director and founder of Q Art Group, a three-tiered art platform, the gallery embraces inclusivity and provides a welcoming space for all visitors. With a focus on showcasing emerging artists and art-historical rediscoveries, the gallery strives to promote recognition and enhance visibility for these talents, particularly in Asia.

Contemporary by Angela Li

Along the tail-end of Hollywood Road, explore another eponymous local gallery, Contemporary by Angela Li. Since its establishment in 2008, the gallery has been a stalwart in the art scene for promoting contemporary art, and has become especially known for nurturing young local talent in recent years. Providing young artists with a platform for individual expression, the gallery draws a strong crowd at its openings and special events.

AISHO

Located just a stone’s throw away, visit AISHO in Po Hing Mansion. A collaboration between Aisho Miura Arts and Nanzuka, the gallery has been exhibiting Japanese art since 2013. Its focus on pop and contemporary art relevant to today’s youth culture (and the fact that the gallery sells art toys) makes it a popular choice amongst visitors.