Jason Wordie has discovered that an interest in art may not be entirely altruistic for Hong Kong’s elite:
Overseas-educated scions of Hong Kong’s plutocrat fraternity have become enthusiastic supporters of local art-culture-heritage-nature initiatives. For some, closer involvement with manifestations of the cultural life signals genuine interest – and it is easy to be interested in expensive civilising pursuits when lack of money has never been an issue. But with other “artistic entrepreneurs”, suspicion lingers that their enthusiasm is a ruse concocted by shrewd corporate public-relations minders to help rebrand family fortunes in the face of rising public disgust with the tycoon caste. Art becomes yet another sticking plaster stretched over the gaping wound of Hong Kong’s social inequality and political polarisation.
Opinion: Art fairs a means of parting Hong Kong’s uncultured rich from their money (South China Morning Post)
