Blue Lotus Gallery is excited to announce “Shooting Hoops,” an exhibition and accompanying photo book launch showcasing Austin Bell’s photographic documentation of all 2,549 outdoor basketball courts in Hong Kong. The exhibition will kick off with an opening event; a book launch and signing on January 15 6-9pm and will run through February 23, offering viewers a glimpse into Bell’s exhaustive cataloging of the city’s vibrant sports surfaces.

Upon his first visit to Hong Kong in 2017, photographer Austin Bell was struck by the color and design of the city’s basketball courts—starkly contrasting the bland asphalt surfaces in his native USA. 

Despite living in one of the highest-density cities in the world, most Hong Kong residents can find sports and recreational facilities within walking distance. Surveys have consistently found basketball to be the most popular sport among young people, contributing to small-scale ‘pocket parks’ being the most frequently visited types of open spaces in Hong Kong. 

Intrigued, Bell returned in 2019 with the goal of capturing ALL of Hong Kong courts. 

Opening reception and book signing: January 15, 6-9pm

Gallery address: 28 Pound Lane, Tai Ping Shan