Cats have long been cherished figures in art and literature, and stories of affection for them abound. For Benny SY Li—a painter, writer, and prominent cultural figure in the Chinese-speaking world—cats are a recurring subject through which his philosophy of life is expressed: an unhurried way of observing the world, and a quiet freedom to come and go with ease.

From 26 February to 13 March, Bonhams Hong Kong will present the special exhibition Where Is the Cat: The Art and Life of Benny SY Li. The exhibition comprises two sections: "Where Is the Cat," featuring over 30 cat-themed paintings by Li, available for private collection; and "Echoes of a Golden Era," which showcases the artist's personal collection and reflects Hong Kong's cultural "Golden Age."

The paintings in "Where Is the Cat" reveal a world that drifts between reality and imagination. Li's cats are free and wily, maintaining a deliberate sense of distance. They are unconstrained travellers, moving across varied settings—appearing in unexpected places, slipping into familiar scenes, or disappearing altogether. Sometimes the cat is clearly present; at other times, viewers are left to search for its trace.

Venue address: 11/F, Six Pacific Place, Admiralty