Exhibition organization Art Basel's Hong Kong Art Fair is met by criticism from foreign dealers, reports the South China Morning Post. Galleries from, among others, London, Tokyo and New York have chosen to withdraw, Artnet reports.

"Where in the sand is the line drawn?"

In a letter sent to the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association in late January, British art dealer Richard Nagy urged the exhibition to be canceled. In the letter he writes “When will Art Basel Hong Kong set up the fair? Is it when there are 100 infected people in Hong Kong? Is it when one is dead in Hong Kong? Exactly where in the sand is the line drawn? ”

Distorted picture of the situation

In response, a statement was released from the association on January 31:

"Let us assure you that the representatives of the fair have been in constant consultation with many of our gallery members, as well as regional art collectors, regarding the city's status as it navigates through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history."

In the statement, they also emphasize that foreign media have been sensational in their coverage, which they believe has given a distorted picture of the situation:

"Culture and art have a special place in the city and we know that the art will continue to thrive here [..] despite tight coverage or comments from abroad."

On the fourth of February, the first death of the corona virus was reported in Hong Kong.

The fair is scheduled for March 19 to 21 this year.