Why We Need Art

Artists, experts, gallery owners and collectors naturally have a profound love for art and many reasons why it's so important to their lives. Following Art Basel Hong Kong's successful return, here's what some of the most prominent names in the region have to say.

JAVIER PERES

Founder of Peres Projects Art is indispensable, as it broadens our perspective on where we come from, where we're going and where we stand. Today, more than ever, we have the chance to hear the voices of young artists from backgrounds that have historically been under-represented in Western art circles. As a gallery founder, I see myself as an amplifier for these voices.

PATRICIA CROCKETT

Senior director of David Zwirner Hong Kong I've always loved this quote by Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt: "Art is a line around your thoughts." For me personally, being with art is an important act of mindfulness. My mind is always busy, but engaging with art can bring an immediate stillness and focus. Spending time to look at how a brushstroke move, or how shapes and colours come together these experiences offer a necessary contrast to the rapid pace of images and information we're confronted with every day. Art helps us to connect and express ourselves across languages and cultural differences. I feel extremely privileged to be surrounded by art on a daily basis, and it brings me immense joy and satisfaction to help people slow down, and offer these moments of deep contemplation and introspection.

SANIZA OTHMAN