What does the word ‘Hong Kong’ evoke for you?
Home. And hustle.
Your first memory of Hong Kong?
ALL of my first memories are of Hong Kong!!!
Where do you feel most at home?
At home of course! But I use the Grand Café and The Grill at the Grand Hyatt as my cafeteria, as my office is next door. And Lugard Road – that’s a lovely walk on a nice day.
What is the mark of a true Hong Konger?
Someone who is comfortable with English, Mandarin, and Cantonese all being spoken around them at the same time.
Which famous figure best embodies Hong Kong?
Li Ka-shing.
Your favorite place for breakfast?
Bed.
Where are the best boutiques?
A good eye doesn’t have boundaries, nor does it accept direction...
Guests at your dream dinner party in Hong Kong?
Chris Ho from Asia Art Archive, Michelle Yeoh, Ed Tang and Jonathan Cheung. Yu Tsang, Feiping Zhang, Jaime Ho, Alan Lo and Yenn Wong – can they arrange the food as well? Nadia Chan, Jonathan Crockett. A surprise uninvited guest. Joyce Cheung on piano, and cake from YYY House of Cakes, always.
Where do you go out in Hong Kong?
Central. You can find everything there, anytime of day.
Which artwork best represents Hong Kong?
The HSBC lions at 1 Queen’s Road Central.
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever heard or seen on the streets of Hong Kong?
I ran into a friend asleep in an alley once…
What can you only do in Hong Kong?
Live as though you are in several very different places at all times.
What do you miss the most about Hong Kong when you are away?
My nieces and nephews – they bring me joy.
Your best advice for those just visiting?
Go off the beaten track. Get a foot as well as a body massage. And don’t blindly believe what people tell you.
Portraits of Dee Poon by Simon Schilling for Art Basel. Photos of Hong Kong by Luke Casey for Art Basel.
Published on February 27, 2023.
See also Dee Poon in '21st Century Collectors: Next Generation Approaches', as part the Conversations program at Art Basel Hong Kong 2019.