It has tried to make amends, and now there are 16 museums of various types throughout the territory, though some would be hard pressed to justify their existence. Of the 16, only five can really be considered art museums. Some exquisite works do make their way to Hong Kong, but mostly en route to the auction block. Arts in Hong Kong Hong Kong's artists are hardly typical of the larger Hong Kong society. They have always fought against a deep-seated apathy to art in a community that makes business success the ultimate ambition.
Many artists complain that the colonial structure encouraged people to make money rather than art.
It goes without saying that Hong Kong is famous for its wealth rather than for its art production. Those in Hong Kong who turn to producing art find themselves exploring the hybrid landscape left to them by a schizophrenic culture. And it is art that has recently found itself a mouthpiece for the unsettling reunion of the excolony with China. Under the new regime, artists now have a new set of concerns, including limits on artistic expression, and the competition posed by mainland artists. One example of the latter has already caused much controversy in Hong Kong.