Words from the art
To celebrate the opening of Art Basel Hong Kong 2024, renowned artist Marilyn Minter sat down with Tatler Hong Kong arts and culture editor Aaina Bhargava to discuss the American’s works at the ongoing fair, including her installation, Thirsty (2023). Thanks to Minter’s buzzy energy, the candid conversation turned into a tea-spilling session, where the artist revealed why the art world “loves old ladies and dead ladies, and it loves young bad boys”, and the importance of supporting young female artists.
With industry heavyweights such as Minter coming to Hong Kong, it’s clear Art Basel is back to its pre-pandemic strength, with more than 240 galleries taking part—a somewhat overwhelming figure if you’re there to browse. Don’t worry: Tatler’s got your back, both for the regional event and homegrown arts fair Art Central. But beautiful talking points can be found outside of galleries and museums too: while Hong Kong’s urban jungle will be buzzing with art aficionados, take advantage of this long weekend to explore Hong Kong’s natural heritage.
Other newsletter highlights this week:
- The women behind thriving global fashion labels have a lot to share about their journeys in design.
- K-pop star Lisa is a great travel planner, and her trips might inspire your next holiday.
- Here are five things to know about the extreme Barkley Marathons and Jasmin Paris, the first woman to conquer it.
- The best breakfast spots in Hong Kong, according to chef May Chow.
Dear Tatler readers, take advantage of the Easter weekend to immerse yourself in Hong Kong’s rich offerings. And on that note, have an amazing Friday, and a wonderful break!
Salomé Grouard
Deputy Digital Editor
THE BEST OF ART WEEK
These artworks will draw you in
Caption: Details from Wallen Mapondera’s 'Beautiful Poem’ (2024), which features painted egg cartons and calico cloth on canvas, at Art Basel (Photo: courtesy of the artist and SMAC gallery)
Art Basel Hong Kong is back on a bigger scale this year, with more than 240 galleries participating from all around the world.
Heading to the fair? Tatler selects nine sculptural artworks that you just have to see for yourself at this year’s fair.
MORE FROM ARTS
From Allan Zeman to Ayla Sham, members of the Tatler community have captured Art Basel’s best moments.
Follow Tatler’s guide to Art Central, where martial-arts-inspired works, a gigantic red dress and more installations are on display.
Here’s what you missed from the fabulous Dragon Icons party, which celebrated Art week at Hong Kong hotspot Dragon-i.
STYLE
Ladies who lead: Advice for fledgling designers
From left: Fashion founders Jane Gottschalk, Saloni Lodha, Rejina Pyo, Sandra Choi and Wannasiri Kongman
To celebrate female leaders in fashion, Tatler speaks to women who founded thriving global fashion labels about their journeys in design.
From Jimmy Choo to Saloni: here’s what the founders behind these luxury brands have to say to designers-in-the-making.
MORE FROM STYLE
How Oppenheimer (2023) actor Cillian Murphy came to wear a brooch by a Hong Kong jeweller to the Oscars.
From Zendaya’s tennis-inspired dress to NewJeans’s Danielle becoming Celine ambassador: here’s what happened in fashion this week.
Giorgio Damiani on gender-fluid jewellery, maintaining exclusivity and designing a princess’s wedding jewels.
LIFESTYLE
The Mongolian artists redefining their country’s cultural identity through art
Jantsankhorol Erdenebayar (Photo: Gunsen Khurelchuluun)
Mongolia is home to many nomadic cultures which emphasise the importance of passing down customs via oral traditions.
Jantsankhorol Erdenebayar and his mother and fellow artist, Mugi, share with Tatler how their artworks are visual metaphors that draw from the country’s nomadic and diverse heritage.
MORE FROM LIFESTYLE
From urban tourism in Paris to immersing herself in the Unesco sites of her native Thailand, K-pop star Lisa is a great travel planner.
With Mercury beginning his retrograde journey in Aries, Tatler’s astrologer Casey Chan tells us what it means for each star sign.
Always feel like you need a dip after a long hike? Hong Kong has plenty of beach trails that offer beautiful sea views en route to a refreshing cool-down.
POWER & PURPOSE
5 eco-tourism organisations you should know in Hong Kong
Eco-tourism is a great way to discover our city’s hidden natural gems and escape the concrete jungle (Photo: Getty Images)
Why not take advantage of the Easter break to explore Hong Kong’s natural heritage?
Here are five local organisations promoting nature-based tourism and conservation education.
MORE FROM POWER & PURPOSE
Here are five things to know about the extreme Barkley Marathons and Jasmin Paris, the first woman to conquer it.
How model and actress Kat Alano broke her silence and is shattering the stigma around sexual abuse.
Fill your summer reading list with the best books written by some of the industry leaders of Asia’s Most Influential.
DINING
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024
Sézanne from Tokyo emerged as the Best Restaurant in Asia at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony in Seoul.
Asia’s foodie community descended on Seoul for the Asia’s 50 Best Awards 2024 ceremony.
More than 300 voters—food writers, critics, chefs and restaurateurs—nominated the restaurants that now make up the prestigious rankings.
MORE FROM DINING
Nobody does breakfasts better than Hong Kong; here’s where chef May Chow goes for the first meal of the day.
How Cheryl Noronha’s Eurasian cookbook is keeping her grandmother’s recipes alive.
From new menus to celebration events and 80s-inspired dim sum, these are all the food and drink happenings that you should know about this week.
AROUND ASIA
SINGAPORE | These are the most beautiful new restaurants in Singapore to dine at this year.
PHILIPPINES | Meet the Philippines’ Tatler Dining Awardees: from Best New Restaurant to Chef of the Year.
MALAYSIA | Author Vanessa Chan offers a gut-wrenching tale of the Japanese Occupation in The Storm We Made.
