Our Story
A curatorial practice grounded in collaboration, culture, and care.
Arts South is more than a curatorial studio — it’s a platform for meaningful encounters through art.
Our Philosophy
Arts South’s curatorial approach is collaborative, research-led, and deeply grounded in storytelling. We seek to create spaces that embrace complexity, honor memory, and invite new ways of seeing. We curate not just exhibitions — but experiences that resonate
A Curatorial Approach Rooted in Dialogue
We believe that art builds meaningful bridges between people, places, and memories.
Our method is intuitive yet rigorous — shaped by long conversations, careful research, and attention to both the visible and the invisible.
Each program is an evolving ecosystem of ideas, voices, and perspectives.
Cultural Care and Creative Sovereignty
We see curation as a form of care — for artists, communities, and cultural contexts.
Our work honors the multiplicity of identities and geographies, especially those shaped by displacement, transformation, and memory.
We are committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and championing artistic sovereignty.
Our values
❖ Curiosity before convention
❖ Connection across cultures
❖ Creativity with conscience
Who We Are?
We are curators, researchers, and cultural storytellers. Our practice is shaped by a rich tapestry of regional expertise, academic grounding, and a shared passion for meaningful artistic dialogue.
⎼ Learn more about our curatorial vision and backgrounds on the The Curator page.
Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We believe in cultivating long-term relationships with artists, partners, and places — weaving together diverse voices and visions.
“Our work is not just about art — it’s about meaning, memory, and movement.”
“Art, when curated with care, becomes a conversation across time and place.”
Our Origins — From LIP to Arts South
From Foundation to Curatorial Studio
Arts South emerged from Leap Initiative Philanthropies (LIP), a foundation we launched in Hong Kong in 2017. Through LIP, we explored how art can bridge geographies, restore memory, and inspire transformation.
Our early programs include:
❖ Beyond Art – A curated art auction platform
❖ Full Circle Art Africa – The first Afrocentric art initiative in Hong Kong
❖ Upstream – A deep dive into Zimbabwean contemporary art
❖ Wafrica by Full Circle – The Blood Brothers & The Queens
❖ Salon Révélation – Grand Palais, Paris
❖ Entre Ciel et Terre – Artist residency in Benin
❖ Many more exhibitions and initiatives supporting emerging artists
These foundational projects — especially Full Circle Art Africa and our Vodoun research initiative — continue to shape our curatorial philosophy today. They are a testament to our commitment to cultural exchange, transmission, and artistic sovereignty.
These beginnings continue to shape who we are today. To explore the roots of our curatorial journey → Roots & Legacy
From Hong Kong to Benin and beyond, these projects reflect the diversity and depth of our curatorial practice.
