NEWS


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Uncharted Territory has just entered a re-print on Amazon.com

‘A far-reaching tour de force that highlights a particular moment within the rich and dynamic fabric of the Hong Kong art world.' Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director, Serpentine Galleries

'Magnus Renfrew arrived in Hong Kong a decade ago as an outsider and came to play an integral part in raising the city's importance for the global art market. In this concise yet many-layered analysis, Renfrew details the complexity of the city's cultural scene and its enormous potential. Just as important is his clarity in articulating the challenges Hong Kong faces in fulfilling its desire to be Asia's cultural capital.' Marc Spiegler, Global Director, Art Basel

'Magnus Renfrew demolishes the old slur that Hong Kong is only interested in making money – he shows that this city has an exciting present and promising future as a cultural hub and meeting place for East and West.' Chris Patten, Lord Patten of Barnes, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Former Governor of Hong Kong

'A concise and thoughtful account of Hong Kong’s ascent into a global art centre. Magnus Renfrew reveals the complexities of navigating local and international sensitivities while calling for a more generous representation of Asia within the global discourse.’ Claire Hsu, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Asia Art Archive

'Renfrew hits a bullseye in accurately capturing the dynamic and evolving transformation of Hong Kong into a global art hub.’ Alice Mong, Executive Director, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

‘Concise and authoritative, a bold call for the territory to become the global city it’s destined to be…' Kristie Lu Stout, Anchor, CNN

'Combines insider insights with objective analysis, a succinct account of the journey so far and what might lie ahead.’ Tisa Ho, Executive Director, Hong Kong Arts Festival

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Penguin Books Specials:
The Hong Kong Series

Exactly twenty years ago, Hong Kong’s sovereignty was handed over to China. During that period, Hong Kong has accumulated stories worth telling; stories full of history and lessons within. The multicultural hub bustling with possibility and promise has become a centre for creativity and a source of inspiration not only for those on the mainland. But while Hong Kong seems to live a life of its own, the question remains – what conclusions can be drawn from a city that faces daily contradictions? The riches of commerce amongst the shanty roof towns, the mango trees between industrial roundabouts and art facing commercial requirements – these are the riddles and untold stories the Hong Kong Series seeks to explore.

Through probing fiction and inquisitive non-fiction essays on politics, art, society, architecture and the economy, this series shines a light on the city’s deepest changes. From award-winning writers to experts in the field, the Hong Kong Series brings together authors from all disciplines to enlighten and educate those already familiar with Hong Kong’s complexities, as well as those who are curious about the course of tomorrow. 

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企鵝書籍特刊:
香港回歸二十年系列

二十年前,英國把香港的主權移交中國。從回歸的那一天起,香港發生過許多歷史性的、具啟發性的、寓言性的事件。背負著多重文化身份的香港,不只是中國大陸的靈感泉源,還是個國際創意中心。香港似乎在走自己的路,但問題依然存在--在這座城市每分每刻都在應對的種種矛盾之間、在豪宅和板間房之間、在工業和藝術之間,什麼是真實?什麼才是真相?就是「香港回歸二十年系列」要探討的主題。

七位背景專業不同的香港作家從藝術、社會、建築、經濟等不同角度描述城市最深刻的變化,作為香港人或對城市未來發展有興趣的人的一種教育和啓發。

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Uncharted Territory: Culture and Commerce in Hong Kong's Art World

Hong Kong has the once in a generation opportunity to assert itself as the creative and cultural hub of Asia, and to rival the established centres of New York and London. In providing an angle unique to the city, Hong Kong could play a pivotal role beyond the market in redefining the concept of ‘global’. But, is it ready to take on the challenge? Magnus Renfrew, art expert and one of the driving forces behind the city’s ascent in the art world, outlines the recent past and paints the future of Hong Kong’s art scene, all while reflecting on his own experiences and the new buzz around Hong Kong’s endless possibilities.

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未知領域:
香港藝術界的文化和事業

擺在香港面前的是個不可多得的機會--登上亞洲創意文化中心的寶座,興紐約和倫敦等國際級的對手較勁。只要找對方向,香港可以重新定義國際藝術市場的「全球化」概念。問題是,香港有足夠準備迎接挑戰嗎? Magnus Renfrew,香港藝術界的重要推手,其最新著作《Uncharted Territory: Culture and Commerce in Hong Kong's Art World》概述香港藝術界的近代史,亦從自身的經驗預測香港藝術界的未來發展。

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Binding world cultures through art, an interview with China Daily

'Magnus Renfrew’s name is synonymous with Hong Kong’s art scene as the founding father of the city’s popular art fair Art Basel.'

'Having devoted more than two decades to the art industry across Western and eastern cultures — ranging from a specialist with auction houses to managing museums and commercial galleries — he’s credited, to a certain extent, with propagating the mindset that art is something for the ordinary folk to prize too, rather than being an exclusive domain for the wealthy or professional few.'

'Launching his career in London, Renfrew had worked in Shanghai for a year before opting to settle down in Hong Kong with his family a decade ago. The cross cultural experiences equipped him with the knowledge and insight to run the international art fair Art Basel in the SAR as its founding director from 2012 to 2014...'