Exhibition · Asia Art Archive · Hong Kong
Asia Art Archive presents At 25: Artists’ Early Worlds, Part II as the concluding chapter of its 25th anniversary exhibition series. Building on the guiding question, “What were you doing at 25?,” this chapter features Salima Hashmi (b. 1942), Holly Lee (1953–2024), Bahc Yiso (1957–2004), and Raqs Media Collective (formed in 1992). The exhibition presents their early life trajectories and art practices through a curatorial approach that is deeply engaged with art history and archival research. The exhibition brings together rare archival materials, organised and gathered from the artists, their families, and various institutions, alongside early works and newly commissioned pieces, to recreate the artists’ intimate worlds at the age of 25. As such, Part II also highlights how artistic practices often extend beyond artmaking into areas such as education, writing, and advocacy. The exhibition shapes a multi-layered vision of art history that includes broader sociocultural contexts, as well as emotional personal recollections, stories of the departed told by loved ones, and new works born from the interplay between historical reflection and artistic inquiry. At 25: Artists’ Early Worlds showcases Asia Art Archive’s distinctive collections, research methodologies, and the evolving network of artists and institutions it has built since 2000, spanning across Asia and beyond. Opening Reception and Curator-led Tour Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 Time: 6–8pm (The curator-led tour will take place at 6:30pm) Location: CCG Library, Asia Art Archive Free and open to the public with registration. Jeebesh Bagchi of Raqs Media Collective will be in attendance. Artists Salima Hashmi Holly Lee Bahc Yiso Raqs Media Collective Concept: Anthony Yung Curatorial Team: Christina Bartosch and Hazel Kwok Research & Archives Team: Jang Hyejung, Sophia Lam, Park Sunho, Sneha Ragavan, and Shafia Yousaf Additional Support: Chan Huen, Emily Cheung, Cami Hui, and Maple Wang Exhibition Design: Screw Up…