Hai Hsin Huang’s Art Basel was completed in 2019 and made its debut in Hong Kong Art Basel in the same year. The drawing depicts the global art market’s flourishing and nonchalant period just before the pandemic, conscious but yet half unaware of its acute rendition of late capitalism art fairs and their disoriented crowds. In this drawn fresco, Huang’s pencil flows seamlessly with a rare balance between generous strokes and swift critique, and reveals the increasing divorce between art fair and fair art.

The huge original drawing, approx. 5m x 2m, now spreads across the pages of the book like a map that guides you through the endless booths. You would find yourself looking at art, looking at people, and maybe sipping wine in glittering glamour. -Publisher