NGO Justice Centre Hong Kong has announced the finalists for its Human Rights Art Prize, after it received a record-breaking 162 submissions this year.

The winner of the prize will be announced at the exhibition opening and silent auction at the Blindspot Gallery on December 9. The winning artist will receive HK$35,000 and a trophy hand-forged by artist Kacey Wong, who also serves as a judge.

“We’ve seen the highest number of entries in the history of the prize. It seems to have captured the imagination of the city,” said Katie Vajda, co-Director of the Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize.

“We hope that the prize will represent a reflection of the state of human rights both here in Hong Kong and in the global context through Hong Kong’s eyes.”

The prize, which launched in 2013, was opened to all mediums for the first time this year.

All the proceeds of the silent auction will go the artists as well as to support Justice Centre Hong Kong’s work.

The entries are judged by a panel consisting of Asia Art Archive co-founder Claire Hsu, ArtAsiaPacific editor-in-chief Elaine W. Ng, artist Kacey Wong, National Geographic Society VP of Global Initiatives David Schacht, and Para Site Executive Director Cosmin Costinas.
In line with the NGO’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, the judging was conducted blind, meaning that artworks were assessed purely on their merits.

The exhibition and silent auction will be open to public from December 9 to 16 except Sunday and Monday at Blindspot Gallery, Wong Chuk Hang.