GalleriesGal On How To Survive Hong Kong Art Week

From surviving the art fair circuit and decoding contemporary works to knowing which openings are actually worth your time, the insider behind @galleriesgal shares the hard-earned wisdom that keeps her sane during art week and beyond.

For eight years, Yulia Yarkova — or @galleriesgal, as her followers know her — has made it her mission to document Hong Kong’s art scene, freely and accessibly, one exhibition at a time. She has witnessed the city evolve from a so-called ‘cultural desert’ to a bona fide global art hub, capturing nearly every show along the way through her Instagram and blog. We sat down with the woman behind Hong Kong’s go-to art resource to talk about her journey, the reality of gallery-hopping and how to survive the whirlwind of Art March.

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Can you tell us about your background and what brought you to the Hong Kong art scene?

My background is in interior design, but my professors ensured we studied art history, drawing, painting, ceramics and typography. I’ve always loved art and continued those studies online. Twelve years ago, my ex-husband’s work brought us here, but I immediately fell in love with the city and decided that I wanted to stay here.

Back then, the prevailing narrative was that Hong Kong was a cultural desert, so my early attempts to find art were limited by that notion. Luckily, I saw an ad by the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association, which proved there were enough galleries here to warrant an association. I simply opened Google Maps, typed ‘gallery’ and added every single one to a list.

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Was it an easy transition into the scene?

Actually, it was very scary for me to start visiting them. The first few times, my friend had to literally hold my hand. Slowly, I built confidence and connections. However, I kept missing events, so — mostly out of annoyance — I created an online space to collect information on what’s happening in the city. I never planned to do it for this long, but I still enjoy it.

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You’ve described your role as being between a journalist and an influencer, though you prefer ‘art blogger’. Why does that title feel most natural?

People assume a journalist works for a magazine and writes long articles. Influencers are usually expected to promote specific brands or experiences. But nobody has any assumptions about what an art blogger actually does, and I find that really convenient.

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Walking into a gallery can be intimidating. How do you personally engage with an artwork?

I have two modes: viewer and blogger. As a viewer, I spend a lot of time with the work, looking at details and talking about it. As a blogger, I’m thinking about how to make the exhibition look good in my photos. That still requires getting the gist of the show, but it’s less personal — and definitely less fun than people imagine.

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How can a newcomer learn to appreciate esoteric contemporary works?

Art isn’t just one thing; it can be shocking, avant-garde, experimental, therapeutic, educational, decorative, healing, troublesome, revolutionary, soothing, meditative, witty, academical or just pretty. Your perspective depends on your education, background and mood. If you like it, good; if you don’t, maybe it’s just not for you. It’s not your duty to understand every piece you encounter — just don’t assume that everything you dislike is ‘bad’ art.

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What are some insightful questions a visitor can ask gallerists or artists?

I can’t think of a wrong thing to ask other than “How is it even art?” or “Why is it so expensive?”. Anything else is fine, and having no questions is also normal. You can ask a gallerist about the curatorial idea, or ask an artist which other artists they are interested in right now.

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Art Basel and the surrounding fairs can be overwhelming. What is your fundamental advice for the busy season?

First: Give up. You won’t see everything. Accept that reality early; the sooner you do, the better. Second: Have a plan. Do a bit of research and prioritise what interests you personally. Don’t take those “10 Must-See” lists too seriously. And finally: Don’t stress. They are just exhibitions; they will happen again.

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How do you personally decompress after the intensity of Art Month?

I stick to my routines. For me, that means as much sleep as possible and my morning tea. I’ve started every morning with Chinese tea for 15 years. It’s my time to think, decompress or just stare at a white wall.

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GalleriesGal’s Pro-Tips: An Art Fair Survival Kit

The Practicalities

• Dress for the trek: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes; fairs are not the place for restrictive glam.
• Fuel up: Eat before you go and carry a snack.
• Hydrate: Stay hydrated — champagne is not a substitute for water!
• Gear up: Bring a power bank for photos and a scarf or fan for unpredictable expo centre temperatures.

The Strategy

• Navigation: Use a map and cross off booths as you visit them so you don’t get lost.
• Memory hack: Take a photo of the gallery sign next to any artwork you love so you can find it later.

The Etiquette

• Hands off: Never touch art unless explicitly invited.
• Spacial awareness: Don’t lean on plinths and watch your bag when turning around.
• Booth respect: Gallerists are working intense hours; keep chats brief if they are busy.
• Social tagging: If you post photos, tag the gallery — they really appreciate the support.