As the Lead Partner of Art Central, UOB presents a thoughtfully curated programme at the UOB Art Space at Art Central 2026. Featuring a large-scale ink installation alongside exhibitions, ink art workshops and a panel discussion, the programme invites visitors to engage with contemporary art through both sensory experience and intellectual reflection.
Presents Cross-disciplinary Dialogues in Contemporary Ink
A highlight of the UOB Art Space is White Mirror – The Vista of Inner Worlds (2026), a newly commissioned large-scale ink installation by Hong Kong artist Ling Pui Sze.
Drawing on the artist’s long-term research into cellular imagery, alongside recent scientific studies conducted at the University of Cambridge, the work takes the form of an immersive sculptural garden that bridges art, science and philosophy.
Ling’s largest installation to date, the work comprises hand-crafted paper sculptures and moving images, demonstrating her accomplished command of ink, paper and site-making practices. Conceived as a serene, meditative environment, the installation evokes both cosmic landscapes and a Zen-garden-like setting, offering visitors a moment of stillness amid the vibrancy of the art fair.
The space is populated by abstract, radiating sculptural forms inspired by neurons — cells responsible for information transmission within the nervous system — interwoven with collaged cellular patterns and projected footage of cellular movement. By magnifying microscopic landscapes into a walkable environment, White Mirror – The Vista of Inner Worlds invites reflection on the interconnectedness of body, mind and external reality. Proposing a sense of kinship between the microcosmic and the cosmic, the work echoes the Daoist notion of “Everything as One”, offering an imaginative yet contemplative site for introspection.
Artistic Excellence and Cultural Exchange between China and ASEAN
As a leading patron of art in Asia, UOB is committed to nurturing regional artistic talent and fostering cross-cultural dialogue through contemporary ink and mixed-media practices. At the UOB Art Space, visitors will explore the dedicated exhibitions of the 2025 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners’ Showcase and a regional selection from the UOB Painting of the Year–Regional Showcase.
Featuring award winning pieces by artists from Hong Kong, Mainland China and ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the exhibitions highlight the diverse artistic expressions and encourage cultural dialogue between China and Southeast Asia.
UOB Ink Art Workshops
Extending the experience beyond exhibitions, UOB collaborates with UOB Art Academy, a registered charity in Hong Kong, to present a series of UOB Ink Art Workshops. Led by Hong Kong artists including Eric Ho, Ling Pui Sze, Tony Ng Kwun Lun, Professor Tong Kam Teng, Professor Yau Wing Fung and Stephanie Yeung Chung Nga, the workshops combine traditional ink techniques with contemporary artistic expressions, guiding participants to explore the evolving language of ink art.
Workshops are open to the public at HK$260 per session, with half-price concessions for children aged 17 and below, and seniors aged 60 and above. All proceeds will go to UOB Art Academy to provide art educations to less privileged in Hong Kong. Pre-registration is required at www.uobartacademy.com.hk/ws2026.
Panel discussion “Reading the Unreadable: When words become images”
During the fair, UOB will host a panel discussion at the Central Theatre on Saturday, March 28 from 3:00 p.m to 4:30 p.m, titled “Reading the Unreadable: When Words Become Images.”
Moderated by Dr Phil Chan, Painting and Calligraphy Curator at the Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the panel will feature calligraphy artist Fung Ming Chip, Hong Kong calligrapher and mixed-media artist Fung Yee Lick, and Professor Daniel Lau, Associate Professor at the Academy of Visual Arts from Hong Kong Baptist University.
The panel will explore how written language has evolved in contemporary art, transforming into visual and conceptual forms through abstraction, deconstruction and cross-media experimentation.
Adaline Zheng, CEO of UOB Hong Kong, said, “Marking the 10th anniversary of UOB’s partnership with Art Central, this programme underscores the Bank’s long‑term commitment to advancing artistic practice, supporting art education, strengthening cultural connectivity and contributing to social sustainability within Hong Kong’s cultural ecosystem. Through our partnership with Art Central, we will continue to build a platform that evolves alongside Hong Kong’s creative community and connects local artistic practice with the wider regional context.”
