You can say that Hong Kong‑based entrepreneur Kevin Poon is one of the original multi‑hyphenates, before being one was really even a thing. After interning at Interscope Records in California in the early 2000s, Poon returned to Hong Kong, where he would go on to build an empire as the co‑founder of streetwear label Clot, streetwear retailer Juice and distributor District, and finally, the founder of Woaw Gallery.
“I think art has always been in the system of what I do. Early on, we were hanging out with Futura, Stash, José Parlá, Kaws … people who were in the mix doing cool stuff,” says Poon. “And as our culture started growing up, a lot of these artists were being celebrated in fine art spaces. That’s when we transitioned into becoming more serious about art.”
In 2019, Poon opened the first Woaw Gallery on Sun Street in Hong Kong’s cultural pocket of Wan Chai. Teaming up with New York‑based Ross + Kramer Gallery and Miami‑based Bill Brady Gallery, Woaw opened with an exclusive series of paintings by Japanese artist Koichi Sato. “At first, it was a creative outlet; I wanted to have a space that could be multifunctional,” says Poon. “But when [the exhibition] did well, it gave me the confidence to do more. I recognised that there were a lot of people looking at this similar emerging space, but no one was really doing it.”
Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Mathew Leong
As the Norway-based Singaporean chef celebrates a milestone year both personally and professionally, he opens up about the toughest moments of his career and why failing is not an option
Asian Inspirations
Chef Ace Tan on his second restaurant, Asu-his love letter to regional Asian cuisine
State of the Arts
Arts nominated member of parliament Usha Chandradas discusses growing the creative economy by focusing on both supply and demand
Through a Curator's Lens
Circe Henestrosa, a fashion curator and the head of the School of Fashion at Lasalle College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, merges her personal connection with artist Frida Kahlo with her extensive curatorial experience to explore intersecting themes of identity, disability and cultural heritage
Second Nature
Poet and educator Yong Shu Hoong brings fresh perspectives to the helm of the Singapore Writers Festival, from interdisciplinary perspectives to multilingual programmes
Wine Down
Nothing wraps up the day like a nice glass of vino. From flashy hedonistic escapades to geeky watering holes, these new wine bars promise celebrated viniferous pours that will please even the most discerning of oenophiles
A Legacy in Silhouettes
Kristina Blahnik, CEO of the designer shoe brand Manolo Blahnik and the niece of its legendary founder, shares her insights on preserving the house's heritage and introduces the new Manolo's Silhouettes campaign
To Have and to Hold
With its sumptuous textures, Loro Piana's elegant autumn/winter 2024 collection is a chic celebration of craft, quality and the universal appeal of tactility
Scent of Strength
Hermès unveils its first chypre perfume, Barénia―a captivating fragrance crafted by renowned perfumer Christine Nagel that embodies bold femininity and celebrates the brand's rich heritage
Nocturnal Revival
Nighttime skincare rituals will get a boost of supercharged restoration with La Mer's new Rejuvenating Night Cream
