William Lim discovered his love for art at an early age. Ten years ago he began collecting art systematically, focusing on works by emerging contemporary artists from Hong Kong. His private art collection, which he opened to the public during the inaugural Art Basel Hong Kong 2013 art fair, is now considered one of the city’s cultural highlights. Lim says, “By sharing my collection through the pub
lication of this book, I hope that more people can discover the art produced by some very exceptional artists, and I wish to record this pivotal moment in the development of Hong Kong contemporary art.”
In the book, Lim describes the fascinating journey of his art collection, and the many artists, gallerists and art professionals he has met along the way. While appreciating mainland Chinese artists who have made international names for themselves, he always had even greater respect and admiration for Hong Kong artists, the ‘No Colors’ brigade, who has to fight to make a living. He says, “The label ‘No Colors’ is by no means a belittling term. I want to define this spirit that these artists have: to pursue one’s belief against the odds. To find their way of artistic expression that expresses our moment.”
With the launch of the first Art Basel Hong Kong fair in 2013, and the design and construction of the new M+ museum imminent, Hong Kong is in the spotlight of the international art world, making the launch of this book especially timely.
“Now, I feel, is the defining moment to do this book on my collection,” says Lim. “It is my hope that the book will introduce some of the most important practicing Hong Kong artists. I hope these conversations will also provide a good overview of the development of contemporary art in Hong Kong…More importantly, this book is not all about me or my collection; it is about the state of Hong Kong contemporary art development at this pivotal juncture, and about all of the great Hong Kong contemporary artists who have chosen art not as a career, but as a way of life.”
Artists features (selection): Nadim Abbas, Tang Kwok Hin, Tsang Kin-Wah, Lee Kit, Tozer Pak, Kwan Sheung-Chi, Ho Sin Tung, Lam Tung-Pang, Wong Wai-Yin, Kacey Wong, Morgan Wong, and others.
