Hong Kong Artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui Bring Quiet Reflection to Venice Biennale

The 61st Venice Biennale, themed “In Minor Keys” by late curator Koyo Kouoh, emphasizes resistance to loud spectacle and market-driven displays. A collateral exhibition curated by the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA), “Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice,” complements this theme through works by Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui. The exhibition runs through November 22, 2026. Ng’s installation “Laundry Nocturne” (2026) uses projections of hanging laundry and recorded night sounds from Hong Kong, inspired by the parallel tradition of drying clothes on lines in Venice and bamboo poles in Hong Kong. Hui’s “I Would Like to Open a Window for You” (2026) features a hand-crafted iron window made with local metalsmiths, exploring the universality of observing urban life through windows. HKMoA Director Dr. Maria Mok noted that Hong Kong and Venice are linked by a shared breath, and the exhibition traces the quiet pulse of daily life. Ng is an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, known for site-specific works. Hui, a graduate of Hong Kong Baptist University and Central Academy of Fine Arts Beijing, incorporates traditional Chinese culture and contemporary expression. The exhibition presents two works by each artist, focusing on overlooked aspects of everyday aesthetics.