Hong Kong, March 27th, 2018: The first art fair in Hong Kong Arts Month, closed its 12th and most successful edition on Monday evening March 26th with record attendance and sales. The Asia Contemporary Art Show welcomed more than 14,000 collectors and art enthusiasts over the four days. On the back of a strong Hong Kong economy, exhibitors indicated brisk art sales estimated at HK$28 million.
“We had a wall to wall opening night, the busiest we’ve seen.” said Director Mark Saunderson. “Beginning with the UnionPay Private View and followed by the UnionPay VIP Collectors Preview, the Show on that night alone welcomed many distinguished guests, collectors and art enthusiasts.”
“Our focus on art that is accessible from up and coming young artists, as well as established collectible artists, has given the Show a broad appeal. Particularly noticeable were younger buyers in their early 30s buying art for the first time, with our programme of 10 guided art tours in partnership with Accidental Art greatly oversubscribed.”
“Special sectors, Intersections: China and Artists Dialogues were a real highlight for many visitors to the 12th edition. Featuring contemporary Chinese paintings and sculpture, Intersections saw a number of galleries sell out their artists – for instance works by Gao Xiaoyun, Ding Wenqing, and You Yang.”
“Of course, our art show is all about discovery, no more so than in Artist Dialogues. A series of solo and joint presentations, where rooms are transformed into a compelling art spaces that are especially appealing to visitors. Each space is an opportunity to listen and learn about the artists’ works. With many of the artists new to Hong Kong, we offer a unique buying opportunity.”
Saunderson continues, “At each and every Show there is a focus to present a diverse selection of artists. The next edition of the show opening September 28th is the only contemporary art fair in Hong Kong in the second half of the year, and will coincide with the Fall auction season at Sotheby’s, Poly Auction and others, and the start of China’s Golden Week national holiday.”
Marites Bancod – Philippines
“This is my third Show, I keep coming back because of the sheer variety of artworks in different mediums on show. I was at the UnionPay VIP Collectors Preview yesterday and fell in love with a painting at Galleria Camaya, so was back today to buy. I find their pieces to be unique, collectors’ pieces that will appreciate in value over time.”
Lydia Gainer – Venezuela
“I have been coming to the Show since the first one in 2012. I like the Show because it is intimate and accessible, the emerging up and coming artists at the Show are exciting. I bought a Korean artist here at the Show a few years ago, and it has appreciated as he has become more established. Today I bought a Kouzo Takeuchi ceramic sculpture which is intertwined with wood.”
Tracy Halford – New Zealand
“This is my third time at the Show, but the first time that I bought an artwork. I find it interesting because it’s in a hotel, and every room is so different. I love the different materials that everyone is working with. I am an art enthusiast who enjoys looking at art and like the Show because the galleries are so welcoming.”
Abigail Camaya-Hills – Galleria Camaya, Philippines
“We exhibited at the show last spring, so decided to come back again. So far we have received many overseas and local visitors, old and young who are interested to see and buy art. People are willing to spend and look and be experimental about the art they buy. In fact, three pieces were sold before the Show thanks to the organiser’s promotion online via Asia Contemporary Art Buyer.”
Priya Janghu – Canada
Artist Dialogues
“This is my second time at the Show, and it’s much better than the first experience. Two pieces out of the five that I brought with me were sold within hours of the show’s opening. Exhibiting in a hotel room was completely new to me. My sculptures present well in the space, giving visitors a real sense of how they might look at home.”
Sonja Wang – SUOMEI M50 ART GALLERY, China
Intersections: China
“I am a frequent exhibitor at hotel art fairs in the region. The market for art in Hong Kong is very mature and international. At the Show I meet not only local and expat buyers, but also overseas collectors. There are many serious collectors at the Show, since yesterday I have sold 20 pieces.”
The Founders of the Asia Contemporary Art Show
The founders and directors of the Asia Contemporary Art Show are three art enthusiasts with more than 25 years’ experience in the region, Mark Saunderson, Douwe Cramer and Sarah Benecke. Viewed as pioneers in the art space, they consider the interest of artists, galleries and buyers are best served by providing vibrant fairs and online content which stimulate discovery, exploration, and conversations about art. The Asia Contemporary Art Show is Hong Kong’s only art fair that takes place twice a year.
Asia Contemporary Art Buyer
The founders of the Asia Contemporary Art Show also produce Asia’s leading art website, Asia Contemporary Art Buyer (www.asiacontemporaryart.com). The site features over 12,000 artworks from1,600 artists. Asia Contemporary Art Buyer extends the value of the Asia Contemporary Art Show for both buyers and sellers of art, from an exciting four-day Show with face-to-face engagement with artists and galleries, to 365 days a year and 24/7 online for personal browsing and buying.
Lead Partner UnionPay International
UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay’s global business. In partnership with more than 1,500 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 162 countries and regions with issuance in 42 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost-effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.
Macey & Sons
As a long-standing pioneer in art brokerage and auctioneering, Macey & Sons advise clients on starting and expanding their art collection, enabling them to make steady returns on investments through art. Macey & Sons specialise in sourcing and trading art in both the primary and secondary markets; with a huge inventory of fine art and luxury collectables from all over the world.
Macey & Sons also offer a rich and varied portfolio including famous fine art masters, blue chip Chinese contemporary ink, iconic legends and award-winning emerging artists.
To expand global reach and give more investment opportunities to clients in Asia, Macey & Sons has formed strategic alliances with Lyon & Turnbull, one of the longest established auction houses in the UK since 1826, along with Freemans, the oldest auction house in the US.
Amanda Wei Gallery
Amanda Wei Gallery exhibits unique art pieces from around the world, including paintings, sculpture, photographs, multimedia and installations. As a modern art space with an international vision, the Gallery aims to provide an innovative forum to bring well-established artists and their works to Hong Kong while also promoting creative young talent.
The Asia Contemporary Art Show would like to acknowledge and thank arts patrons UnionPay International, Macey & Sons, Amanda Wei Gallery, Langton’s East Asia, HK Liquor Store, and FIJI Water; as well as hospitality partners Gold Bar Whiskey, Leaf Tea Boutique, Samuel Adams and Tranquini for their support.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The 13th edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show at the Conrad Hong Kong will be held on September 28th – October 1st, 2018. The largest specialised contemporary art fair in Hong Kong in the second half of the year, it coincides with the Fall auction season at Sotheby’s, Poly Auction and others, and the start of China’s Golden Week national holiday. The Show is limited to 85 galleries from Asia and the world and will feature two sectors, Intersections: Taiwan, the third in a series that will focus on the conceptual crossing of artistic ideas, and Artist Dialogues, an entire floor dedicated to solo and joint artist presentations.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mak Tsz Kam
Tel: +852 2811 9015, +852 6093 5609 / [email protected]
High-res images and information are downloadable from:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5qu3o4ey1aubtwd/AAD32x_Zqpl2DPpZjw2cpsKxa?dl=0
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