In 2013, the world’s most famous art fair, Art Basel, appended the name of an Asian city to its European one, establishing Art Basel Hong Kong (ABHK). That recognition of the commercial and cultural potential of this regional centre to a Western-centric art world has been realised, with the fair now attracting myriad satellite events to this globally significant hub.

Over half of the 240 exhibitors at ABHK this year hail from the Asia-Pacific, and the core Galleries sector includes Sydney’s Roslyn Oxley9, Ames Yavuz, Fox Jensen, and Sullivan+Strumpf—the latter three of which also have locations in other countries in the region. In the project-focussed Insights sector, meanwhile, STATION is presenting Zac Langdon-Pole and Pintupi artist Mantua Nangala, while Neon Parc makes its ABHK debut with a solo presentation of work by Diena Georgetti.

Most of these galleries also have artists featured in Encounters, the sector dedicated to just 18 large-scale works that go beyond the booth. Curated by Artspace Sydney outgoing director Alexie Glass-Kantor for the eighth and final time, Encounters features a strong emphasis on Australian galleries and artists this year under the theme As the World Turns.

With over 75,000 people visiting the fair across five days, Glass-Kantor notes that “[ABHK] is one of the largest single platforms in the region for contemporary art. It is one of the most diverse markets in the region for contemporary art, and I’ve wanted to use that to advocate for Australian galleries, not because they’re Australian, but because they show great artists.”

This year that includes large paintings by Pitjantjatjara artist Betty Muffler (with Ames Yavuz), presented on scaffolding that nods to the architecture of the art centre in which they were created; a vibrant installation of banners by Nadia Hernández (with STATION); the compellingly unsettling Ai-video mashup SIGNAL ROT by Canadian-born, LA-based Jon Rafman (with Neon Parc); a trio of huge suspended abstract paintings by Gemma Smith (Sullivan+Strumpf); and a collection of painted ironwood Tutini poles by Tiwi artist Pedro Wonaeamirri (presented with STATION and Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association). On Sunday at ABHK Wonaeamirri will present a performance associated with the work, the first Aboriginal-language performance in the history of Art Basel.

“Australian art, is international art,” Glass-Kantor says. “The region is complicated and nuanced, and the cultural diversity of Australia matched with one of the longest continuing cultures on Earth, makes Australia uniquely placed to participate in a conversation in this region.”

A short stroll from ABHK at the Central Harbourfront, satellite fair Art Central is marking its tenth edition. A new sector, Legend, highlights the work of six pioneering artists of the Asia-Pacific, including Emily Kame Kngwarreye, whose works are presented by Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London, while Perth-born artist Kim Robinson’s solo exhibition of abstract paintings is presented by Hong Kong- and London-based 3812 Gallery.

An alternative fair model, Supper Club is holding its second iteration this year. Taking place over two floors of the H Queen’s building (home to local and international galleries including David Zwirner and Pace), Supper Club is billed as “a free-flowing presentation of artworks and installations by artists from international and regional galleries.” Among galleries from Paris, New York and across Asia, Sydney-based PALAS is participating for the first time.

“Building and maintaining a visible presence in a global context of galleries and artists is fundamental to PALAS and our program,” say directors Tania Doropoulos and Matt Glenn. “Within our geographic region, Hong Kong is an important commercial centre. Before launching PALAS we had each invested more than 15 years in Hong Kong, participating in the fairs, and forming and growing relationships which are ongoing.”

PALAS is exhibiting works by Nick Collerson, Marco Fusinato, Shaun Gladwell, and Tamara Henderson, artists who inaugurated the gallery’s first year of exhibitions. “Supper Club is an exciting opportunity to exhibit work by the artists we represent alongside a selection of artists from esteemed peer galleries,” say Doropoulos and Glenn.

Further south in the neighbourhood of Wong Chuk Hang, Sydney gallery COMA is presenting a new publication and accompanying exhibition of the work of Lisbon-based artist Mia Middleton. Gallery director Sotiris Sotiriou says, “Hong Kong has always been close to the gallery in many ways, from collectors and curators we work with to the nature of the city itself—deeply international and ever changing.”

The exhibition of 24 small-scale paintings presented on metal stands against a dark draped backdrop will be the artist’s debut presentation in the city. Sotiris explains, “Mia Middleton spent a lot of her youth living in Hong Kong and her recent projects have been focused on America, Australia and Europe, so as a precursor to her next steps in those regions we wanted to bring her home in a fitting manner. Many of Mia’s collector-base are also located in Asia so this is an opportunity for the artist to meet some of her greatest supporters.” At ABHK, COMA are also co-presenting an Encounters project by Tokyo-based artist Lu Yang—an extravagant pop-up store selling artworks produced by a digital avatar who looms large in video form.

Among the thriving contemporary art scene of this buzzing metropolis, Australian galleries are looking towards innovative and established platforms to showcase their artists on a regional, and indeed global, stage.

Art Basel Hong Kong
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
On now—30 March

Art Central Hong Kong
Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central, Hong Kong
On now—30 March

Supper Club
9/F & 11/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong
On now—30 March

Mia Middleton: Double presented by COMA Gallery
16AB Kwai Bo industrial building, 40 Wong Chun Hang Road, Wong Chun Hang, Hong Kong
On now—30 March