Making it in the art world is a much sought after, but challenging, endeavor for young people and parents often fear for the future when they hear their offspring are going for it. But industry professionals say, opportunities are opening up, and the city's art scene is much improved in recent years.

"It's very natural for an artist to present his or her portfolio actively to gallery owners or curators, but I'm surprised how many young artists in Hong Kong actually know it," said Henrietta Tsui, co-president of the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association, speaking from her 10 years' experience managing her own gallery in Central.

She said her mailbox is packed with self-promotion by artists from all around the world, but very few of the young artists are from Hong Kong. From the perspective of a gallery manager, the process of interacting and communicating with artists can lead to a successful business relationship, adding however, that artists have to be professional in their approach to business, as well.

"It can either be through a link, or they can knock on the door, presenting their portfolios in person. Artistic techniques are not the only thing that counts. An artist should be smart enough to know how to do business in the art world, if he or she truly wants a deal," she said.

Another factor young artists might overlook is the maturity of their works and whether their works are "salable". The formula for success could mean a strong and distinctive personal style that articulates the artist's ideas, especially for contemporary art that lays strong emphasis on the artist's concept. It could also mean tempting visual effect or an enduring attractiveness, which, according to Tsui, will draw customers to the works, even if they don't truly understand the artists' intentions.

Hong Kong, like many other places, is still a difficult milieu for the young artist who hopes to earn a living selling works of art. The Hong Kong market is still new, having opened up only about a decade ago, and there aren't enough collectors to support many new, aspiring artists.

"Ten years ago we had fewer than 10 galleries in the city, but now we have around 80. We're dealing with a young art industry, and our local collectors are still unsophisticated," said Tsui.

In order for the industry to reach full maturity, it will need effort not only from artists but art professionals, too. Tsui pointed out. She noted that the industry is facing a manpower shortage and suggested determined initiatives to train people of diverse backgrounds who wish to pursue a career in art but have no access to the information they need.

Art Gallery Week

Beginning Nov 1, over 50 galleries in the city will be welcoming the public to a showcase of diverse international works from around the world, in the hope of fostering greater appreciation from the local market.

For art students aspiring to be part of the art world, there will be a talk - "From Art Student to Professional Artist", to showcase the stages an artist might have to go through in his or her development and offer practical tips for career planning.

Eason Tsang, who graduated from the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong in 2013, majoring in photography, will be among the guest speakers. His photographs have been exhibited in galleries and earned him multiple awards. He is now a freelance photographer focusing on his own projects, though he says he still takes commercial projects, occasionally to finance his creative efforts.

"The first step in anyone's career is very important. I participated in a contest when I was in college. Things became smoother after that. I started presenting my works during public exhibitions, and I became more mature in my creation and came up with more projects."

He admitted the climate has improved as the city opens more new art spaces for the general public to appreciate the works of emerging artists. His advice for art graduates nowadays is to keep doing what they are doing now, nonstop. "Art creation is to do something unknown, and you have to do it before you know whether it will be a success or not," said Tsang.

The Hong Kong Art Gallery Week 2015 will take place in multiple galleries around the city from Nov 1 to 7, with a family art day on Nov 15.

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Visitors appreciated art works in a gallery last year. photos Provided to China Daily

A workshop during the family art day last year, which will come back on Nov 15 this year.

Live Argentine tango music show during Art LATES, a program of the Hong Kong Art Gallery Week last year.

This year's Art Gallery Week, running from Nov 1 to 7, will host multiple talks to help the public deepen their knowledge and have dialogues with art professionals.

(HK Edition 10/30/2015 page11)