Editor-in-Chief's Letter

Art Basel Hong Kong 2026. Courtesy of Art Basel. Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 offered a precise reading of the market — where it stands today and how it is evolving. Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from March 27 to 29, with Preview Days on March 25 and 26, the fair brought together 91,500 visitors, with collectors, institutions, and advisors strongly represented. Market activity and buyer behavior Throughout the week, galleries reported sustained sales across all segments of the market, with activity continuing well beyond the VIP opening days. Buying extended across levels rather than concentrating within a narrow tier of top collectors. Demand was particularly strong for artists from the Asia-Pacific region, across both established and emerging positions. At the same time, international artists continued to place works into major collections across the region. What shifted was not preference, but behavior: collectors were acquiring across geographies, generations, and categories. This is a more flexible acquisition model — less anchored to привычные каноны, more responsive to context and timing. Angelle Siyang-Le, Director, Art Basel Hong Kong 2026. Courtesy of Art Basel. Several galleries pointed to a parallel development: a visible increase in first-time buyers and younger collectors entering the market. Competition for primary works is intensifying, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, where new capital continues to enter…