Exhibition: 2026 The Sovereign Asian Art Prize
Venue: H Queen’s, Hong Kong
Dates: 24 April – 3 May 2026
The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) is pleased to announce the 30 artists shortlisted for The 2026 Sovereign Asian Art Prize, the 22nd edition of Asia’s most coveted award in contemporary art. As well as providing artists with international recognition and generous financial prizes, The Prize is an important charitable endeavour, raising substantial funds to support disadvantaged children by selling finalists’ artworks.
The shortlist features a diverse range of works by leading contemporary artists from 12 different countries and territories around the Asia-Pacific region, including Michele Chu, ANUnaran Jargalsaikhan, and Zhang Yanzi represented by leading Hong Kong galleries PHD Group, 10 Chancery Lane and Ora-Ora Gallery respectively – as well as prominent regional artists Citra Sasmita, represented by Yeo Workshop (Singapore), and Sangita Maity represented by Shrine Empire Art Gallery (India). India has the strongest representation among the finalists, with six artists shortlisted, followed closely by Australia and Mainland China.
Finalists’ artworks will be presented in two free public exhibitions, staged from 24 April - 3 May 2026 at 9/F, H Queen's, 80 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, and from 12-15 May 2026 at Phillips Asia headquarters in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, one of the city’s key arts and cultural hubs.
The final artworks were selected from a pool of over 250 entries by 145 artists, nominated by 46 independent professionals, as well as 16 professional galleries invited to participate for the first time by putting forward artists via an internal nominating committee. This year’s judging panel comprises writer, curator and museum director David Elliott (Chair Judge); 2025 winning artist, Arpita Akhanda; independent curator and writer, Manray Hsu;
and Executive Director of Asia Art Archive, Özge Ersoy.