The Hari Art Prize 2026: Celebrating Hong Kong's Next Generation of Artists By Hospemag
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Luxury hospitality and contemporary art came together once again as The Hari Hong Kong announced the winners of the third annual The Hari Art Prize 2026, celebrating some of Hong Kong's most exciting emerging artistic voices.
With nearly 700 applications—the highest number in the competition's history—the 2026 edition demonstrates the growing importance of The Hari Art Prize as a platform supporting young artists, recent graduates and self-taught creatives across Hong Kong.
At the heart of this year's celebration was sculptor Man Mei To, whose powerful work Curly Breathing I earned the top honour and the HK$100,000 cash prize, donated by Dr. Aron Harilela, CEO and Chairman of Harilela Hotels Limited and founder of The Hari Hong Kong.
A Sculpture About Healing, Breath and Human Resilience
Crafted from African padauk wood, oil and stainless steel, Curly Breathing I captivated judges with its organic forms and emotional depth.
According to Dr. Aron Harilela, the sculpture reflects "fragility and resilience amid forces beyond our control," tracing cycles of transformation, survival and healing while encouraging viewers to reconnect with the body's unseen rhythms.
But behind the sculpture lies an intensely personal story.
Speaking to Hospemag, Man Mei To explained that the artwork was inspired by breathing exercises and years of research into body movement.
"The fragmented, curling forms capture the hidden currents of chi and the tangled emotions inside the body," she says. "They represent releasing accumulated pressure, relearning the rhythm of breathing, and letting go of sadness and anxiety."
The sculpture evolved from collaborations with dancers, body casting, and later 3D scanning techniques that allowed her to capture movement and transform it into sculptural forms.
"I kept folding and reshaping these movements until they eventually became the sculptures people see today."
Winning the prize came as a complete surprise.
After completing her MFA at London's Slade School of Fine Art, Man says she faced countless rejections while applying for grants and exhibitions.
"I had almost zero expectations," she admits. "Receiving this recognition felt like a gesture of warmth during a very challenging time."
Her advice to aspiring artists is refreshingly honest:
"Calling yourself an artist is easy. Using your voice to speak about the world's issues is much harder. If you choose this path, you must be prepared to dedicate your passion to art for a lifetime."
Runner-Up: Katrina Leigh Mendoza Raimann Finds Beauty in Everyday Nature
One of this year's runners-up, Katrina Leigh Mendoza Raimann, was recognised for her textile artwork Small Stepping (2022), created from burlap, wool and cotton yarn.
Inspired by moss and algae growing along a quiet riverside walk, the artwork transforms overlooked moments in nature into expressive abstract forms.
"The piece is rooted in the emotional terrain of everyday life," she explains. "Like moss held still within flowing water, my work captures memories and emotions that continue changing even while frozen in time."
Entirely handmade, the work combines embroidery, knotting, crochet, tufting and sculpting techniques to create its rich carpet-like surface.
Interestingly, this was Katrina's first international competition.
"Being shortlisted and becoming runner-up was an amazing experience. It's an honour to exhibit alongside such talented artists in Hong Kong."
Her advice is beautifully simple:
"Keep making work, regardless of exhibitions or shows. Your work reflects your life, your emotions and your thoughts."
Runner-Up: Ailsa Wong Explores Digital Painting Beyond Traditional Boundaries
Joining Katrina as runner-up was Ailsa Wong, whose archival inkjet print Lightning impressed judges with its atmospheric composition and experimental digital language.
Created entirely on an iPad, the work explores textures, glitches and fragmented digital layers that cannot exist in traditional painting.
"Rather than delivering a fixed meaning, I want viewers to discover their own interpretations," Wong says. "The work reflects contemporary life shaped by digital environments while remaining emotionally open."
She believes digital art deserves equal recognition alongside more traditional mediums.
"I'm especially happy that a digital painting was selected. The award encourages me to continue taking creative risks."
For Wong, art has the power to transform hospitality spaces.
"A hotel is often a place of movement and transition. Art can interrupt that flow, creating moments of reflection that guests remember long after they leave."
More Than an Art Prize
Alongside the winners, sixteen additional finalists were selected, representing painting, sculpture, photography, installation, textiles and mixed media.
The judging panel brought together leaders from the worlds of hospitality, galleries, luxury brands and publishing, including representatives from White Cube, CHANEL, TASCHEN, Ben Brown Fine Arts and A Space for Art.
The Hari Hong Kong: Where Hospitality Meets Contemporary Art
The Hari Hong Kong has steadily established itself as one of Asia's most distinctive art hotels.
Rather than simply displaying artwork, the hotel integrates contemporary art into the guest experience. Public spaces, guest areas and lounges feature carefully curated exhibitions developed in partnership with London's A Space for Art, allowing guests to discover museum-quality works throughout their stay.
The hotel also hosts The Hari Art Prize and The Hari Chronicles, an ongoing programme of conversations celebrating art, design, culture and Hong Kong's creative community.
Until October 2026, guests can view works by the winning artists and finalists throughout the hotel, turning a stay at The Hari into an immersive cultural experience where hospitality and creativity exist side by side.
A Growing Platform for Emerging Talent
The record-breaking number of submissions this year reflects the growing reputation of The Hari Art Prize as one of Hong Kong's most meaningful opportunities for emerging artists.
Beyond the prize money, it offers something equally valuable—visibility, encouragement and the chance to connect with collectors, curators, guests and the wider creative community.
As Man Mei To reflected after receiving the award, recognition can sometimes arrive when artists least expect it. For many creatives navigating an increasingly competitive landscape, that encouragement may be the greatest prize of all.
