香港視覺藝術評論培育計劃 2025-2026
Hong Kong Visual Art Criticism Incubation Programme 2025-2026

Programme Overview

The seventh of the ‘Hong Kong Visual Art Criticism Incubation Programme’, focuses on the ecology of traditional media and social networks, as well as the differences and transformations in art criticism. The 15-session course, led by veteran critics Samwai Lam and wen yau, covers introductory reflections, practical exhibition viewing and seminars, and analysis, dismantling stereotypes of art criticism and reshaping its diverse possibilities.

This year, we are thrilled to have ACO (@artandcultureoutreach) as our media partner—can’t wait for participants’ art criticism to shine on their platform!

To cultivate a sustained practice of art criticism among participants, we will promote the programme on our Instagram page (@1a_artcritic) and website. From November 2025 to April 2026, the tutors will select outstanding participant criticism for publication on the platforms. We aim to provide participants with a lasting, autonomous platform for publishing art criticism, committed to fostering the local art criticism ecology in Hong Kong.

Programme Details

Workshop Schedule | Total of 15 sessions, 2 hours each
Dates & Time |
Sundays 11:00am–1:00pm
2025: 16/11, 23/11, 7/12

Saturdays 3:00pm–5:00pm
2025: 13/12, 20/12
2026: 10/1, 17/1, 24/1, 31/1, 7/2, 14/2, 28/2, 14/3, 21/3, 11/4

Venue | 1a space
(with some sessions visiting various arts and cultural institutions)

Guest Talk |
Critic as an Archivist/Documenter?
Phoebe Wong, 17 January 2026 (Saturday), 3:00pm–5:00pm
1a space

Critique Before Exhibition: A Curatorial Conversation with Artists
Chloe Chow, 21 March 2026 (Saturday), 3:00pm–5:00pm
WYNG Space (Sheung Wan)

Fee | HK$6,200
(participants completing all criticism assignments eligible for up to HK$600 tuition rebate)

Target Audience |
Cultural enthusiasts keen to deepen their knowledge of visual art criticism

Language | Cantonese (some reading materials in English)
Writing language | Chinese or English

Application deadline |
11am on Monday, 10 November 2025

How to apply | Complete the application form

Application Form

Registration Form (Talk)

Tutor

Theme

Content

Samwai Lam

'Between the Pen and the Eye: Art Criticism Workshop'

(3 sessions)

Focusing on writing practices in Hong Kong visual arts criticism, social contexts, and local reflections, this workshop analyses the role of criticism in its historical context, as well as the challenges and possibilities in the face of media transformations and shrinking cultural resources, while simulating real-world editorial and review processes through practical exercises.

Workshops

1. Art Criticism & Society
— Roles and Historical Contexts

Examine the function and significance of art criticism across different historical periods and social contexts

Is criticism merely a supplement to art?
Or can it be a creative and critical act in itself?

How do we write art criticism today? What tools, forms, and voices are available to us?

2. The Death of Criticism? — A Local Reflection from Hong Kong

In the face of media transformation and shrinking cultural resources, does art criticism still have a place in society?

Explore how new media and self-publishing platforms are reshaping the ecology of art criticism

Consider the local challenges and possibilities for critics in Hong Kong’s evolving art landscape

3. Writing Together
— Practice, Peer Review & Live Critique

Engage in hands-on writing exercises in response to selected artworks or exhibitions

Share, discuss, and critique each other's drafts in a collaborative and open setting

Simulate real-world editorial and review processes, and reflect on the role of the critic as both writer and reader

wen yau

'Critics as… and vice versa'

(12 sessions)

Exposing the myth of art criticism, this workshop will investigate the multiple roles of art criticism in today’s contexts. Whereas criticism can refer to a specific social role, a critical lens can be adopted by everyone. How do we understand art criticism? How can we practise criticism ?

We will study related works in each session, such as articles, artwork, film/video, and so on. Sessions 4 and 8 will delve into the practice of criticism through ongoing exhibitions, art events, and special topics.

1. Welcome to the multiverse of art criticism?

How do we see the multiple roles of art criticism? How can the critic adapt these various roles?

4. Critic as an Archivist/Documenter?

How does criticism function as a historical footnote by documenting and preserving contemporary art?

7. Critic as an Influencer?

How can we effectively discuss art through social media platforms, and how efficacious is art criticism on these platforms?

10. Critic as a Researcher?

While neutrality and objectivity seem the myth of the press, how do the journalists make criticism? Is criticism part of journalism indeed?

2. Critic as a Promoter?

To what extent do critics help the public navigate and understand art in an accessible manner?

5. Practice I: Exhibition Visit, Discussion, and Analysis

8. Critic as an Activist?

How can criticism serve as a catalyst for change, transcending mere words into action?

11. Critic as a Curator?

In the dual role of critic/curator, how do they navigate the intricate relationships within the art world?

3. Critic as an Artist?

Artful criticism and/or critical artistry? How much of art-making is criticism and/or criticism is art-making?

6. Critic as a Journalist?

While neutrality and objectivity seem the myth of the press, how do the journalists make criticism? Is criticism part of journalism indeed?

9. Practice II:
Exhibition Visit, Discussion, and Analysis

12. Critic as a Critic?

Let’s rethink the essence of art criticism and its multiple roles in today’s complex art ecology.

Workshops

Samwai Lam

Samwai Lam earned her M.A. and bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literature from The University of Hong Kong. Her art writing has been shortlisted for the International Awards for Art Criticism (IAAC). Her novels include White Dirt
(白漬, 2017) and Moon Phase (月相, 2020). A recipient of the Literature Award from The House of Hong Kong Literature, Lam’s short stories have appeared in Fleurs des Lettres (字花), SAMPLE and Esquire. In 2023, she served as the Writer-in-Residence at Hong Kong Baptist University’s “Chinese Writers’ Workshop.” Her short story Graceless was published in The Massachusetts Review and included in the 2024 Best Literary Translations Anthology, published by Deep Vellum.

wen yau

As a cross-media artist, researcher, curator and writer, wen yau has been concentrating on performance/live art and social practices in recent years. Her works have been exhibited internationally. She currently teaches contemporary art theory and practice at various universities. She worked as a Researcher at Asia Art Archive from 2005 to 2010 and has published extensively in local and international newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. She was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Northwestern University's Performance Studies Department from 2015 to 2016, and she received her PhD in Visual Arts from the Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University, with an auto-ethnographic thesis on performative practices in post-Handover Hong Kong art and activism.

Art and Culture Outreach, ACO

A non-profit charitable arts organisation led by artists, integrating a bookstore, publishing, curating, and creative space. ACO is dedicated to supporting individual artists and groups, promoting the development of arts and culture, to achieve a civil society and a high quality of life. Located at the intersection of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, Foo Tak Building was established in the 1960s and transformed into a 'vertical art village' in 2003. The resident units encompass a diverse range of art forms, including visual arts, literature and publishing, sound and performing arts, as well as community development, with some open to public visits.

ACO Art Critique

Phoebe Wong

Freelance writer with a background spanning design and cultural anthropology, conduct design, art visual cultural studies in Hong Kong. From 2002 to 2011, Wong worked in the research department a Art Archive. She also co-founded the Community Museum Project, a curatorial collective dedicated indigenous creativity and underrepresented histories and practices of everyday life. As a cultural wo she contemplates what she can do for culture between reflection and labour. Her articles have been published in art plus,Yishu: Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, Asia Art Archive and the Internatio Association of Theatre Critics ( Hong Kong ).

Chloe Chow

Researcher and curator, currently Head of Exhibitions and Programmes at WMA. Specialising in Hong Kong Visual Culture, her curatorial practice emphasises social themes and interdisciplinary dialogue, fostering individual and collective resilience in responding to contemporary challenges. Recent curated exhibitions include 'Anson Mak: No Such Person' (2025), 'Realms of Memory' (Bristol Photo Festival, UK, 2024), and 'Chan Hau Chun: Silent Sojourns' (2024); as well as the edited books HOME 家 (WMA, 2025) and Hong Kong Visual Culture: The M+ Guide (M+, 2021).

香港視覺藝術評論培育計劃 2025-2026
Hong Kong Visual Art Criticism Incubation Programme 2025-2026

Programme Overview

Programme Details

1. Art Criticism & Society
— Roles and Historical Contexts

2. The Death of Criticism? — A Local Reflection from Hong Kong

3. Writing Together
— Practice, Peer Review & Live Critique

1. Welcome to the multiverse of art criticism?

4. Critic as an Archivist/Documenter?

7. Critic as an Influencer?

10. Critic as a Researcher?

2. Critic as a Promoter?

5. Practice I: Exhibition Visit, Discussion, and Analysis

8. Critic as an Activist?

11. Critic as a Curator?

3. Critic as an Artist?

6. Critic as a Journalist?

9. Practice II:
Exhibition Visit, Discussion, and Analysis

12. Critic as a Critic?

Samwai Lam

wen yau

Art and Culture Outreach, ACO

Phoebe Wong

Chloe Chow

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香港視覺藝術評論培育計劃 2025-2026 Hong Kong Visual Art Criticism Incubation Programme 2025-2026

Programme Overview

Programme Details

1. Art Criticism & Society — Roles and Historical Contexts

2. The Death of Criticism? — A Local Reflection from Hong Kong

3. Writing Together — Practice, Peer Review & Live Critique

1. Welcome to the multiverse of art criticism?

4. Critic as an Archivist/Documenter?

7. Critic as an Influencer?

10. Critic as a Researcher?

2. Critic as a Promoter?

5. Practice I: Exhibition Visit, Discussion, and Analysis

8. Critic as an Activist?

11. Critic as a Curator?

3. Critic as an Artist?

6. Critic as a Journalist?

9. Practice II: Exhibition Visit, Discussion, and Analysis

12. Critic as a Critic?

ABOUT 1a space

JOIN US

Stay tuned with the contemporary art world

CONTACT US

VISIT US

香港視覺藝術評論培育計劃 2025-2026
Hong Kong Visual Art Criticism Incubation Programme 2025-2026

1. Art Criticism & Society
— Roles and Historical Contexts

3. Writing Together
— Practice, Peer Review & Live Critique

9. Practice II:
Exhibition Visit, Discussion, and Analysis