Visit To Double Q Gallery in Hong Kong: Why it is Unique to the Local Art Scene
Have you ever wondered how the world of art galleries works, or what unique artistic places are available in Hong Kong? Our team at Artisanu hopes that by visiting more art galleries, we can share our experiences and give you an inside glimpse of the artistic gems of Hong Kong. Whether you are a collector or not, I believe that art is a language that should be experienced by everyone. I was delighted to visit a gallery that strongly embodies exactly this value: that art should be accessible and for everyone to enjoy.
Recently I was invited by a friend to join a guided tour at Double Q Gallery in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.
Double Q Gallery was founded in Hong Kong by Queenie Rosita Law in 2022.
Double Q Gallery was founded recently in May 2022 by Queenie Rosita Law, based on the mission to introduce Central and Eastern European and American artists into the Asian art scene. It is part of Law's art platform Q Art Group. The gallery visit was very eye-opening, introducing me to a unique gallery in Hong Kong’s art scene. Qin, the associate director of the gallery kindly showed us around.
During our visit, two new exhibitions were on display; one by a male artist, and another by a group of female artists. Coming from a Fine Arts and education background, I have often found the business realm of the art world intriguing, and even distant. The world of art fairs, galleries, and auction houses seem far removed from the school's art classroom or my painting studio. As we viewed the artwork, conversations began about the different roles of galleries, artists, and auction houses. Qin's background in art history and her understanding of contemporary art enriched our learning, making the art gallery feel welcoming.
Despite some setbacks due to covid, Double Q Gallery launched this year in May, and it takes an artist-oriented approach in their process. From the curation to the installation (which includes re-stretching, hanging, and preparing the space), and even the guided tours, a lot of thought was put into the exhibition. This gallery's mission to support artists was very clear to me and encouraging to see as an artist.
The tour began with the first exhibition, featuring artwork by Hungarian artist József Csató, titled "Treasures, Trees, Fire and Bones."
József Csató, “Generation Gaps,” 2022,
oil and acrylic on canvas, 140 x 160cm
At initial glance, József Csató's work seemed to result from a beautiful combination of different genres and subjects, honed to create his distinct visual voice. Immediately when I saw his pieces I thought of Phillip Guston. To my delight, Qin pointed out the artist had noted Guston as one of his key influences and showed us some behind-the-scenes pictures of the artist's studio and sketches.
Csató had a detailed design for how the space needed to be prepared to look like a surreal outdoor space, to frame his works. Each piece features vivid colors, quirky creatures, and everyday objects as motifs. He creates a brilliant juxtaposition of traditional fine art themes (still-life subjects, Renaissance-emulated perspective, triangular compositions) alongside the contemporary interpretation of modernist art styles (expressionism, surrealism, and neo-expressionism). The pieces show an energetic artist, with marks of experimentation evident in the layers of textures. The paintings incorporate scraping, mark-making, and layering.
Learn More: https://doubleqgallery.com/artists/35-jozsef-csato/overview/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josefcsato/?hl=en
"Forget it, we can't afford this," by Kamen Stoyanov (Vienna and Sofia-Based, from Bulgaria)
Kamen Stoyanov, "Forget It, We Can't Afford
This," 2011, neon, 25 x 200cm
We proceeded to the space upstairs and were greeted by a neon light piece that serves as a commentary on the current art scene. Quite accurately it says, “Forget It, We Can’t Afford This.” The irony of it being placed in a gallery amused me, and the message was very relatable. Qin shared that it is a piece designed by Kamen Stoyanov, a Bulgarian artist. It is a part of the permanent collection from Q Contemporary, Q Art Group's non-profit museum in Budapest, Hungary. The addition of this artwork demonstrates Double Q Gallery's playful and bold personality.
Next, we encountered "Soft, Hidden, Exposed," a feminine and powerful group exhibition by artists Karolina Bielawska, Kateřina Ondrušková, and Monika Žáková.
The space upstairs featured a group exhibition by the artists Karolina Bielawska, Kateřina Ondrušková, and Monika Žáková titled “Soft, Hidden, Exposed.” It is wonderful seeing a gallery supporting a group of female artists, as female artists often get the short end of the stick in terms of representation in the commercial art world. Here are some of the highlights from their work.
Karolina Bielawska (Warsaw, Poland)
Karolina Bielawska, "Wanting," 2022,
acrylic and bitumen on canvas (cotton),
110x160 cm.
Photo courtesy of Double Q Gallery.
Karolina Bielawska’s artworks are minimalist but speak loudly due to the striking contrast of saturated cobalt blues alongside neutral hues. The sharp shapes and curving lines contrast with geometric shapes to create visual movement. The emphasis on the simplicity of the shapes presents a space of harmony. The pieces are on a larger scale, and the composition often symmetrical, which reflects their architectural language. I was intrigued by the variety of materials she used to paint, seeing the surfaces' finishing. They consist of some parts raw, and some parts painted, with the smooth and matte textures next to one another. The focus on structure and organized shapes in Bielawska's pieces provides the collection with a touch of the modern art movement.
Learn More: https://doubleqgallery.com/artists/40-karolina-bielawska/overview/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karolinibielawska/?hl=en
Kateřina Ondrušková (Prague-based, from Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic)
Kateřina Ondrušková, "Picnic with Flowers,"
2022, acrylic, fix and oil pen canvas,
130 x 115 cm
Kateřina Ondrušková's pieces evoke a child-like innocence, featuring textural experimentation. Floral symbols form a painterly garden, with bold marks and scratch-back techniques incorporated to create energy. The artist also includes snippets of figural components, whether they be feet or hands, providing personal interaction with the greenery. A wide range of vibrant hues included in the paintings ranges from saturated orange to bright yellow-green, which contrasts with the raw background. The strokes and interlocking layers form together to create a dance. The messages from gestural marks speak genuinely to a sense of curiosity and wonder, while also providing an artistic space for pensive moments.
Learn More: https://doubleqgallery.com/artists/31-katerina-ondruskova/overview/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katerina.ondruskova/
Monika Žáková (Prague, Czech Republic)
Monika Žáková, Echoes of Fragility (131) 2021,
cotton, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40cm
Monika Žáková creates her own trompe-’loeil paintings that provide a neutral and subtle visual illusion. The combination of sewing and shading gives the viewer the impression that everything was made with thoughtfulness, providing a sense of delicacy to the artwork. Due to the handmade border and the focus on surfaces - such as a piece of paper or fabric - a sense of the tactile takes life form in her paintings. If you look from painting to painting, each piece depicts unique folds and spaces. From a farther distance, they take on the life of a sandy landscape. Žáková's artworks are versatile chameleons that exist as objects, canvases, and framed spaces.
Learn More: https://doubleqgallery.com/artists/34-monika-zakova/overview/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zakovamonika/?hl=en
Double Q Gallery is a unique gallery in Hong Kong, and its story is an exciting and uplifting one.
This particular art gallery visit enabled me to understand that the gallery world is not so elusive. Each gallery has its’ own intentions and distinct mission. I felt privileged to be introduced to these contemporary artists from Eastern and Central Europe through a gallery in Hong Kong.
Double Q Gallery is extremely thoughtful towards its’ artists. Whether it be the curation or preparations for the exhibition, it is clear that the process is artist-oriented. The gallery also is designed to create comfortable experiences for art lovers - even if you are not a collector. The guided tour was informative and refreshing, due to Qin's professionalism and knowledge. All in all, it was great to see how down-to-earth and accessible this gallery allows you to experience art.
Along the way, I learned about the gallery process and curation, and more about how the relationship between gallery and artists work. To some artists such as myself, this relationship may not be easy to understand, so it is important to humbly learn. Knowing that Queenie Rosita Law established this gallery through her passion to make art accessible is uplifting. Her choice to use her platform to support artists that express their Central and Eastern European culture is something that inspires me, especially in the Hong Kong art scene.
To learn more about Double Q Gallery:
Double Q Gallery's Website: https://doubleqgallery.com/
Double Q Gallery offers guided tours on Thursdays (3-4 pm) and Saturdays (11-12 pm). You can book a guided tour by sending a DM on IG to @doubleqgallery or email hello@doubleqgallery.com.
Follow their IG: https://www.instagram.com/doubleqgallery/
Our team here at Artisanu will continue to visit more galleries and introduce them to audiences in Hong Kong through our HONG KONG ART GUIDE.