Art Basel Hong Kong returns after pandemic hiatus

Art Basel Hong Kong was back for its ninth edition after the event was cancelled last year because of the pandemic. A visitor admires "Spanish Gold to Pagan Gold" by British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor. (Photo and text: AP)

Art Basel Hong Kong one of Asia's premier art fairs is back in slimmer form after a hiatus prompted by COVID19. This artwork titled "Marat assassins, after David, 2017" is created by Chinese artist Yan Pei-Ming (Photo and text: AP)

About 100 galleries from 23 countries are participating half the pre-pandemic level with others joining via online viewing rooms The show runs through Sunday. This artwork is called "Ladybug" created by British artist Mr Doodle. (Photo and text: AP)

Adeline Ooi the Asia director of Art Basel described the event as the organizations first hybrid fair. A visitor looks at the artwork, "Untitled, 2018" by Korean artist Kim Chong-Hak. (Photo and text: AP)

A steady flow of visitors all wearing masks perused the works in a cavernous convention center while buyer representatives used smartphones on selfie sticks to zoom in on specific pieces for buyers overseas. A visitor stands next to "Skin, 2013" created by Brazilian artist Jac Leirner. (Photo and text: AP)

Last year's Art Basel was called off as the pandemic was taking hold. Visitors take a look at an artwork, "Two Less One Coloured" by Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto. (Photo and text: AP)

The virus situation has stabilized in Hong Kong and vaccines are gradually reaching more of the population. The artwork feature is "Two Full Moons: One in Circle, One in Square" by Pak Sheung Chuen a Hong Kong based artist. (Photo and text: AP)

A visitor takes a close look at an artwork titled "Passage" created by Hong Kong artist Firenze Lai Art Basel, one of the world's most prestigious modern and contemporary art exhibitions. (Photo and text: AP)

This is the 9th edition of the Hong Kong Art Basel. Two visitors look at this artwork created by Hong Kong artist Mak Ying Tung titled "Home Sweet Home: Pandemic Love 1" (Photo and text: AP)

Two visitors stand in front of an artwork by Chinese artist Liu Jianhua titled, "Blank Paper, 2014" (Photo and text: AP)

Visitors at the Basel continue to wear masks and adhere to Covid-19 protocol. Featured artwork is titled "Martyr, 2019" and is created by British artist Damien Hirst. (Photo and text: AP)

A takes a close look at an artwork "Untitled, 2019" created by American visual artist Helen Pashgian (Photo and text: AP)

A visitor walks past at an artwork "To be honest, 2021" created by Spanish artist Javier Calleja. (Photo and text: AP)