What's on this month in Hong Kong

Central

"We Paint What You Might See" Group Exhibition

Tang Contemporary Art presents a compelling group exhibition featuring three distinguished artists: Ben Ashton, Ivan Pokidyshev, and Jochen Mühlenbrink. This exhibition explores the intersection between visual perception and artistic interpretation, challenging viewers to reconsider the relationship between what we see and what truly exists. The three artists share a common philosophy: painting serves as a medium to reimagine and reshape visual reality rather than merely document it. While each demonstrates exceptional technical mastery, their work transcends simple representation. They create a dynamic tension between physical observation and psychological perception, opening up spaces where appearance and reality diverge in subtle yet profound ways. Ben Ashton's practice draws from classical portraiture traditions—incorporating confident poses, refined compositions, and historical gravitas—only to deliberately disrupt these conventions. Through his extensive study of old masters combined with digital-age aesthetics, he introduces glitches and formal ruptures that undermine the authority, confidence, and historical certainty these portraits once projected. His subjects remain recognizable, yet their projected authority becomes destabilized, creating both visual and conceptual uncertainty. Curated by Zoe Tsang and Willa Yip, this exhibition invites viewers to question their assumptions about visual truth and artistic representation. Opening reception: August 22, 2026, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM