HONG KONG.- Renowned Hong Kong architect and artist William Lim announced the launch of his new book “The No Colors · Living Collection in Hong Kong” at the Hong Kong Arts Centre on Saturday, 17 May 2014. Documenting his wide-ranging collection of multi-media works by some 50 contemporary Hong Kong artists, this vibrant and informative new publication with full-colour illustrations and in-depth essays by leading international art experts, provides a unique insight into contemporary art in Hong Kong today.

William Lim discovered his love for art at an early age. Ten years ago he began collecting art systematically, focusing on works by emerging contemporary artists from Hong Kong. His private art collection, which he opened to the public during the inaugural Art Basel Hong Kong 2013 art fair, is now considered one of the city's cultural highlights.

Lim says, “By sharing my collection through the publication of this book, I hope that more people can discover the art produced by some very exceptional artists, and I wish to record this pivotal moment in the development of Hong Kong contemporary art.”

In the book, Lim describes the fascinating journey of his art collection, and the many artists, gallerists and art professionals he has met along the way. While appreciating mainland Chinese artists who have made international names for themselves, he always had even greater respect and admiration for Hong Kong artists, the „No Colors‟ brigade, who had to fight to make a living.

He says, “The label „No Colors‟ is by no means a belittling term. I want to define this spirit that these artists have: to pursue one's belief against the odds. To find their way of artistic expression that expresses our moment.”

With the launch of the first Art Basel Hong Kong fair in 2013, and the design and construction of the new M+ museum imminent, Hong Kong is in the spotlight of the international art world, making the launch of this book especially timely.

“Now, I feel, is the defining moment to do this book on my collection,” says Lim. “It is my hope that the book will introduce some of the most important practicing Hong Kong artists. I hope these conversations will also provide a good overview of the development of contemporary art in Hong Kong…More importantly, this book is not all about me or my collection; it is about the state of Hong Kong contemporary art development at this pivotal juncture, and about all of the great Hong Kong contemporary artists who have chosen art not as a career, but as a way of life.”

William Lim is an award-winning architect at the helm of CL3, the company behind designs including East Hong Kong, Hotel ICON and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. He is also one of the most prominent figures in Hong Kong contemporary art and has enriched his home city with a number of large-scale dramatic installations.

He has participated in Lantern Wonderland 2003 & 2011 and Venice Biennale's International Architectural Exhibition in 2006 & 2010, as well as Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture in 2007 and 2009.

William Lim is also Co-Chairman of Para/Site Art Space, and a member of the Asia- Pacific Acquisitions Committee of London's Tate Gallery as well as the board of the Asia Art Archive in Hong Kong.