This May, Hong Kong’s art scene buzzed with energy as the Affordable Art Fair (AAF) swung open its doors to the public.
Reaffirming its mission to make art collecting approachable for everyone, the AAF’s 12th edition showcased an exciting range of contemporary artworks priced under HK$100,000 — and many marked below HK$10,000.
The fair embraced its empowering theme: “I Am an Art Collector” with 99 exhibitors from leading galleries from Asia-Pacific powerhouses like Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, and India, alongside participants from Europe, Australia, and the US.
Notable local galleries such as Hong Kong Arts Collective, HKI Gallery, Insight CreationStudio, and Step Creation Limited showcased the city’s rich artistic talent.
A highlight was the collaboration with the British Consulate General Hong Kong, which launched the GREAT Art zone, curated by respected local artist Wong Ka Ying, adding a unique global dimension to the event.
This year's Special Projects at the fair featured six distinct creative units, each exploring new frontiers of artistic expression through groundbreaking installations, live performances, and interactive pieces.
A poignant Chinese Contemporary Ink session titled"Muses in Tranquility" featured four female ink artists: Liu Jia, Yi Pang, Peggy Choi, and Yvonne Chow. Together, they created a large-scale Banyan tree live, symbolizing friendship and open hearts. The completed artwork was also available for purchase.
Another highlight of the exhibition was Jackie Case's The ATM Project, a performance piece at a cleverly disguised functional ATM.
This piece invited visitors to submit prompts using her booth and receive on-the-spot sketches from Jackie, inviting new collectors to own art and sparking dialogue about artists’ social roles. Patrons also had the opportunity to purchase these artworks for as little as HK$300.
Meanwhile, the collaboration between the Hong Kong Tourism Board(HKTB)and artist Angel Hui Hoi-kiu brought the nostalgic “Auntie Angel Store”to life. With Angel playing the role of the shop owner of a vintage tuck shop, visitors were invited to immerse themselves in authentic local flavors and memories, and explore blue-and-white ceramic artworks of classic snacks.
Visitors engaging in interactive areas could collect artist-designed badges inspired by beloved local snacks or enjoy nostalgic games reminiscent of childhood.
Another standout exhibit was Li Shudan’s “Fruit Market,” showcasing 280 hand-carved wooden fruits infused with different scents — offering visitors the chance to adopt their own pair for HK$1,000 and personalize their collecting journey.
At the same time, local artist Pen So transformed a Hong Kong-inspired café with vivid murals featuring iconic cityscapes, space elements, familiar dishes, and street snacks. Visitors were invited to unwind while soaking up his award-winning illustration series, "Dream Journey Through Hong Kong."
The fair continued its longstanding tradition of uplifting emerging artists and supporting their careers. This year's Young Talent Hong Kong Program presented the exhibition,“Tiny Ensemble Turning,"curated by Peony Hung.
Five hand-selected rising local artists, including Soho So and Todd Lam (co-founders of Pengguin), Jason Chan, Aria Chan,and Irene Lee,took center stage, exhibiting their diverse practices — ranging from printmaking to vibrant painting and sculptural work.
For more information, visit AAF on their website here, or find them on Instagram and Facebook for more details.
