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SPEAKER

Philip Tinari

Deputy Director and Head of Art, Tai Kwun Contemporary

Philip Tinari is an internationally acclaimed curator and cultural leader who has shaped contemporary art discourse in China and on the global stage.

Before joining Tai Kwun as Deputy Director and Head of Art in 2026, Tinari served as Director and Chief Executive of UCCA Center for Contemporary Art for fourteen years. During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of China’s premier contemporary art institution from the flagship UCCA Beijing to UCCA Dune (Beidaihe), UCCA Edge (Shanghai), and UCCA Clay (Yixing).

He delivered blockbuster surveys of historical icons such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Andy Warhol, along with major shows of leading figures including Cao Fei, Maurizio Cattelan, and Yang Fudong.

Beyond UCCA, he co-curated the landmark exhibition “Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World” at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and organized “Feeling the Stones,” the inaugural Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Riyadh.

Philip Tinari

Organisation Description

Tai Kwun is Hong Kong’s beating cultural heart, enabled by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) in partnership with the Hong Kong SAR Government.

A vibrant, welcoming space that brings people together, Tai Kwun is committed to inspiring the community through arts, culture, and heritage. Located in the heart of Central, Hong Kong, Tai Kwun brings creative energy into the city by providing access to immersive, world-class experiences. Open to all, it nurtures appreciation for creativity and history across the community.

Tai Kwun supports youth with skills and development opportunities to thrive in the creative industries. Together with HKJC, it contributes to a culturally vibrant Hong Kong, amplifying the city’s role as a thriving hub in the region and on the global stage.

The relationship between HKJC and Tai Kwun continues HKJC’s longstanding role as a supporter of iconic institutions, aligning with its purpose of acting for the betterment of society. HKJC funded the revitalisation and sustains Tai Kwun’s operations, transforming three Declared Monuments – the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison – into an accessible centre for culture. In 2019, Tai Kwun received the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

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