The Hari Art Prize 2026, Hong Kong
Pictured (L–R): Dr Aron Harilela, CEO and chairman of Harilela Hotels Limited and founder of The Hari Hong Kong; Wendy Xu, managing director of Asia at White Cube; Anqi Li, Head of Arts and Culture, North Asia at Chanel; Charlie Smedley, founder and director of A Space For Art; The Hari Art Prize runners-up Ailsa Wong and Katrina Leigh Mendoza Raimann; Frankie Ho, Asia retail director at Taschen; and Edward E. Snoeks, general manager of The Hari Hong Kong.
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The Hari Hong Kong Art Prize 2026 Hong Kong Edition Unveils Winning Artists
The Hari Art Prize 2026 Hong Kong Edition has announced its latest winners, with artist Man Mei To taking the top award for her abstract sculpture Curly Breathing I. The annual competition, hosted by The Hari Hong Kong, continues to spotlight emerging Hong Kong-based artists and recent graduates through a platform combining hospitality and contemporary art.
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Key Takeaways
• Man Mei To wins HK$100,000 top prize for abstract sculpture
• Nearly 700 applicants submitted works in 2026 edition
• Runners-up awarded accommodation and dining packages
• Exhibition runs at The Hari Hong Kong until October
• Judging panel includes leading international art and culture figures
Property Overview: The Hari Hong Kong Art Prize 2026
The Hari Art Prize 2026 continues to position The Hari Hong Kong as a cultural hospitality destination, blending contemporary art programming with luxury accommodation. The winning work, Curly Breathing I, uses African padauk wood, oil, and stainless steel to explore themes of bodily perception and environmental interaction.
Judges highlighted the emotional and conceptual depth of the submission. “Man’s vulnerable, organic forms comment on fragility and resilience amid forces beyond our control,” said Dr. Aron Harilela, CEO and chairman of Harilela Hotels Limited and founder of The Hari Hong Kong.
The runners-up, Katrina Leigh Mendoza Raimann and Ailsa Wong, were recognised for materially rich and conceptually layered works using textile and print-based techniques. Raimann’s piece draws inspiration from natural river landscapes, while Wong’s practice explores fragmented perception and memory.
Awards and Recognition
Nearly 700 Hong Kong-based self-taught artists and recent graduates applied for the 2026 edition, marking the highest participation level in the prize’s history. Winners were announced during an official ceremony held on April 16, with the cash prize funded by Dr. Harilela.
Runners-up received a two-day, one-night Corner Room Package at The Hari Hong Kong, including breakfast and dining experiences at either Lucciola or Zoku, reinforcing the hotel’s integration of lifestyle hospitality and cultural programming.
Exhibition at The Hari Hong Kong
A selection of finalist works is currently on display at The Hari Hong Kong until October. The exhibition includes sculpture, painting, textile, photography, and installation works from a diverse group of emerging artists.
Displayed works include Man Mei To’s When the Center Point is Lost, Ailsa Wong’s Hopping, and Katrina Leigh Mendoza Raimann’s Head nor Tail, alongside contributions from multiple finalists across varied mediums.
The hotel’s curated art environment is developed in collaboration with London-based advisory A Space For Art, reinforcing its positioning as an art-integrated hospitality space rather than a traditional hotel gallery.
Judging Panel and Cultural Collaboration
This year’s judging panel included Dr. Aron Harilela, Charlie Smedley (A Space For Art), Amanda Hon (Ben Brown Fine Arts), Anqi Li (CHANEL Head of Arts and Culture, North Asia), Frankie Ho (TASCHEN), and Wendy Xu (White Cube Asia). The panel reflects a cross-section of international art, design, and luxury culture institutions.
The prize is delivered in collaboration with A Space For Art, supporting emerging artists through both exposure and institutional recognition.
Location & Cultural Context
Located in Hong Kong, The Hari sits within a growing network of design-led luxury hotels integrating cultural programming into guest experiences. The property’s ongoing art initiatives, including The Hari Art Prize and The Hari Chronicles, position it within a broader trend of hospitality brands engaging directly with contemporary creative communities.
Hong Kong’s role as a regional arts hub continues to support initiatives like this, with hotels increasingly acting as exhibition spaces for emerging artists alongside commercial galleries and institutions.
Brand Background: The Hari Hong Kong
The Hari Hong Kong is part of Harilela Hotels Limited, a hospitality group with international operations. The brand is known for its design-forward properties and emphasis on integrating art, culture, and lifestyle programming into the guest experience.
The Hari Art Prize has become one of the hotel’s key cultural initiatives, supporting emerging artists while reinforcing the brand’s positioning within the luxury lifestyle hospitality segment.
Travel Tools We Recommend
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Travel Booking Resources
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