If you’ve strolled along the Central harbourfront recently, you might have noticed a pair of giant hands and an empty hood beckoning you to step inside a boarded-up metallic space. No, it’s not a sci-fi movie set – it’s Upward, a cool (and just a tad creepy) new outdoor exhibition by Chinese sculptor Huang Yulong launched for Hong Kong Arts Month.
What’s up with these white faceless sculptures?
Created by renowned contemporary Chinese artist Huang Yulong, and presented in partnership with Great Entertainment Group, these sculptures celebrate optimism, youth, and the future. Known for his signature hooded figures, Huang blends hip-hop, street culture, and urban commentary into his work, creating pieces that feel both familiar and thought-provoking.
This exhibition, his largest outdoor showcase yet, features more than 20 giant sculptures gazing upwards at the Hong Kong skyline, symbolising a bright future ahead. According to the artist, the sculptures are faceless as he did not want to assign specific traits or characteristics. This intentional ambiguity leaves them open to interpretation, allowing viewers to project their own meanings onto the figures and focus instead on the postures and emotions conveyed by each piece.
Where are the sculptures located?
The sculptures are located right next to the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park, transforming the harbourfront into an open-air art gallery. The exhibition runs from now to March 31, with extended hours on weekends, so you’ve got plenty of time to check it out.
What are the ticket prices for the exhibition?
Tickets are $30 for entry, or you can bundle it with a ride on the Observation Wheel for $40 (adults) or $30 (concessions) to get a bird’s-eye view of the entire exhibition. Kids under three may enter for free. Get your tickets online here, or at the booth outside the exhibition space.
Who made these outdoor sculptures?
Huang Yulong is a leading figure in contemporary Chinese art, with works that reflect the evolution of street culture in China since the early 2000s. After his successful debut with Ora-Ora at Art Basel Hong Kong in 2024, Huang is back with this larger-than-life exhibition, inviting everyone to look upward – literally and metaphorically.
Upward – Huang Yulong
Date: March 12 to 20; 24 to 31
Open hours: Mon to Thu, 1pm to 10pm; Fri to Sun, 12pm to 11pm