Art Basel Hong Kong (ABHK) has announced a new section called Echoes, debuting at its 2026 edition (March 25–29), which will showcase works made within the last five years. The inaugural Echoes presentation will feature 10 booths by 13 galleries, including Flowers Gallery (Hong Kong/London) and a joint booth by Capsule Shanghai and Klemm’s (Berlin). The fair also revealed its full list of curators—all Asia-based for the first time—including Mami Kataoka (director of Mori Art Museum) heading the Encounters section, and Hong Kong video artist Ellen Pau curating the film programme. Additionally, the fifth annual M+ façade commission will be by Pakistani-American artist Shahzia Sikander, presenting a hand-painted animation titled "3 to 12 Nautical Miles." ABHK 2026 is expected to host 240 galleries from 41 countries and territories.
This announcement matters because it signals Art Basel's deepening commitment to Asia, with an entirely Asia-based curatorial team and a new section focused on recent artistic production. The inclusion of an artist-curator for the film programme (Ellen Pau) and the emphasis on moving-image and time-based media reflect a strategic push to position Hong Kong as a global hub for contemporary art and innovation. The appointments also highlight the growing influence of regional curators and institutions, reinforcing the fair's role in bridging local perspectives with global conversations.