Hong Kong artist Chan Wai-lap is making waves this month with two major installations centered on his signature motif of public swimming pools and bathhouses. His latest projects include 'Mimimomo Pool (2026)', a commission by UBS for Art Basel Hong Kong, and 'Jeremy’s Bathhouse', a solo exhibition at the Oi! art space in North Point. The latter features over a thousand ceramic tiles and objects created in collaboration with artisans from Jingdezhen, transforming a greenhouse-like venue into a Japanese-style communal bath.
Chan’s work is significant for its ability to translate local nostalgia and the 'analogue age' into contemporary installations that explore themes of yearning and freedom. By moving from meticulous hand-drawn works to large-scale ceramic environments, he has cemented his status as a rising star in the Hong Kong art scene. These high-profile commissions during the city's peak art month highlight the growing institutional and corporate support for local artists within the global context of Art Basel.