Tag: Fine Art Asia

Fine Art Asia returns to Hong Kong in a smaller edition but with NFTs

It’s been an enormously exciting season of art in Hong Kong – right from Art Basel in May to the Affordable Art Fair, Unscheduled, Digital Art Fair Asia Edition, the K11 Art Mall Design Fest to Happy Hours – there’s been an art fair for every collector and every budget in the SAR. With the return of the Fine Art Asia, one of the continent’s leading international art shows, it’s clear the Hong Kong art market is going strong despite the lack of international investors.

Check out the details of the latest, Fine Art Asia, for your weekend cultural fix. 

Art and Antiques from East and West

This year’s Fine Art Asia is running from October 8–11, 2021 at its usual Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai location. An art and antique collector’s dream playground, this year the galleries – both local and from afar – are showcasing museum-quality fine art spanning 5,000 years of cultural history.

Despite the challenges presented by Covid, Fine Art Asia aims to deliver a tighter, younger, homegrown fair with a focus on contemporary artworks by Asian artists, masterpieces by UK photographer Emily Allchurch and 13th-century Yuan dynasty lacquer dishes amongst others. With travel and quarantine restrictions still in effect, overseas gallerists and collectors will largely be amiss. The fair has liaised with some international galleries to participate remotely with the help of trained local staff. The fair’s founder and director, Andy Hei firmly remains optimistic on the potential of the 66 Hong Kong-based artisanal talent to draw in both traffic and sales. More than 3,000 visitors turned up on day one, stormy weather not withstanding. 

Also Read: Hong Kong’s creative scene is exploding – witness it at the Digital art Fair Asia Edition
 
Standout Galleries
 
 
The number of galleries stand around one-third less than during pre-Covid times, but that brings a much crisp, fresh energy to the event – an increasing number of local and modern artists are getting the opportunity to make a mark in one of the most prestigious art markets of the world. At the same time, online activities are vying for the interest of oversees collectors and aficionados. 

Hong Kong’s Ora-Ora at booth C3, known as a catalyst for innovation and openness of expression, has already sold a few opulent, key sculptures by Spanish figurative artist Cristóbal Gabarrón. Crafted in polychromed fibreglass, the figurines are an artist’s interpretation of history and philosophy bringing a fresh outlook and bridging the cultural divide between the East and the West. 

A visit to booth A8, Tanya Baxter Contemporary is a must for any collector or enthusiast. With established galleries in both London and Hong Kong since the last 25 years, Baxter’s post-war modern and contemporary art collection is eclectic, featuring global icons from Anish Kapoor to Andy Warhol, Ai Weiwei, Frank Auerbach, Mark Rothko, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Marc Quinn, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. Emin’s You Were Everything, Damien Hirst’s beautiful work of art, the Cherry Blossoms series, a powerful take on the beauty of life and death are few highlight pieces. “Our gallery showcases some of the finest international contemporary works from art from New York to Monaco, Hong Kong and Paris”, says Tanya Baxter Contemporary, and we couldn’t agree more!

Rasti Chinese Art dedicated to inspiring audiences with their classical Asian antiquities and contemporary artwork on China’s past is at booth C10 for your artistic perusal. 

Like most fairs of the season, Art Asia is going blockchain, offering a series of works from ancient Chinese bronze sculptures to modern works of art to a wider audience through NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Witness limited-edition collectors items in the flesh at the fair and bid for them online at OpenSea. 

Fine Art Asia runs until Monday, October 11. 

Also Read: Summer crushing on art fairs in Hong Kong

Affairs of the Art: Upcoming art exhibitions in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s art scene may reach a peak every March, but those who have their heart set on art are in for some good news. A bunch of art exhibitions are coming up in town and we’ve rounded them up for you.

art exhibitions

First up is ArtisTree’s Open Rehearsal Series by the International Contemporary Dance Collective (iCoDaCo) which is hosting a dance production and open workshops on 17, 20 and 22 August. Guests will not only be able to engage in open rehearsals with iCoDaCo members, but will also be able to appreciate the performances of stalwarts like the internationally renowned solo artist Mui Cheuk-yin, an internationally acclaimed solo artist, Joseph Lee, the only Hong Kong dancer to have taken part in the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Weronika Pelczyńska, award-winning Polish dance artist.

art exhibitions

Those looking to delve into the fine arts can, in the meanwhile, also check out the Impressionist, Modern & Contemporary Art exhibition to be showcased at this year’s edition of Fine Art Asia 2018, which is taking place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 29 September to 2 October. On display will be a whole range of contemporary art and sculpture pieces curated from across the world. A masterpiece by Surrealist painter Salvador Dali, La Vierge et le Rhinocéros, will be headlining the exhibition.

art exhibitions

While there, you’d be well-advised to also check out the Photography exhibition at the art fair. Showcasing the best creations from a global selection of galleries chosen by Boogie Woogie Photography, the exhibition hosts a plethora of photographs from contemporary to vintage, from international photographers to Hong Kong’s very own shutterbugs. One of the highlights will be the f22 foto space (Hong Kong) which is hosting a solo exhibition by American photographer Elliott Erwitt. Best known for his candid black and white images, Erwitt has captured numerous iconic shots of luminaries like Marilyn Monroe, Che Guevara and Richard Nixon.

 

art exhibitions

Meanwhile, Alisan Fine Arts is focusing on local heritage at its Aberdeen Gallery with an art exhibition titled Chinese Dreams, as participation in the South Island Cultural District Art Day 2018 on 22 September. Running from then till 15 December, the exhibition is a nostalgic look-back at Chinese art through the works of diaspora artists like Yi Kai and Wu Shaoxiang.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Carrie Lam officiates the opening of Fine Art Fair 2017

With over a decade of experience under its belt, the ever-popular Fine Art Asia made a triumphant return at the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Among the VIP attendees celebrating the launch of the exhibition was Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs. Carrie Lam. She is a familiar face at the event, having officiated the opening of Fine Art Asia for the past five years in a row.

Lam took a turn of the floor and admired collections of Himalayan art, Mongolian artefacts and French Impressionist paintings.

While viewing some historic china pieces at the Jorge Welsh Works of Art, London and Lisbon booth, Lam commented, “These export porcelains verify the concept of the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative, and are evidence of the 100 years of cultural exchange along the silk sea route.”

Fine Art Asia remained open for four days, allowing Hong Kong’s art lovers a rare opportunity to view a smorgasbord of artistic mediums spanning over 5,000 years from every corner of the world.

Fine Art Asia returns to HKEC with special preview party

Last month, marking the high-profile return of Fine Art Asia – one of the region’s most important art fairs – to the HKEC, the organisers held a special VIP preview and vernissage. On hand to kick off proceedings was Carrie Lam, the Hong Kong Chief Secretary and Calvin Hui, the director of Fine Art Asia.

Click here to watch the event video

Elements of Art

Art is often the reflection of the society we live in and it is also an expression of the artist’s creativity. Fine Art Asia 2016 is another platform for art connoisseurs to appreciate and acquire masterpieces of impressionist and modern art. It’s contemporary section art section showcases works by acclaimed artists from all over the world. The fair has led the way in recognizing the growing interest among Asian collectors in Western as well as Chinese art, and this is reflected in the outstanding works of art on display. Expert specialists from both East and West will present an unprecedented range of museum-quality artworks, ranging from ancient Chinese and Himalayan bronzes to Central Asian gold wares, Chinese porcelain and lacquer to furniture, textiles and snuff bottles. Antique silver, jewelry and timepieces from both the West and Asia are well established categories at Fine Art Asia. Art connoisseurs will have a great opportunity to appreciate and acquire fabulous pieces of distinction, each with a unique history and provenance.  Read more about Fine Art Asia 2016 at www.fineartasia.com