SALES SLIDE AT THE ASIA CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW IN THE FACE OF PROTESTS

ORGANIZERS SUSPEND SPRING 2020 EDITION 

Hong Kong, October 14, 2019: Now in its 15th edition, the popular Asia Contemporary Art Show closed last Monday evening October 7th. As Asia’s longest-running and largest hotel art fair, the Show presented an appealing selection of artworks from Asia and the world. Despite over four months of protests in Hong Kong, serious collectors and art buyers persevered to visit and browse works by some 220 artists. Sales were brisk amongst a number of returning and new artists, but sales volume was down across the Show.

“On the heels of a number of local galleries shutting up shop, the rest of 2019 is poised to be more challenging in some ways than the global financial crisis,” said director Mark Saunderson. “The effect of four months of protests in Hong Kong saw attendance at the Asia Contemporary Art Show decline by just over 40%. Then there’s the Trump factor, impacting buyer sentiment and confidence. What was pleasing to see, was that diehard collectors and buyers made it to the Show – the city’s real art enthusiasts. While landing art sales was slower, exhibitors acknowledged the quality of guests, with a good number looking to close on buyer interest over the next few weeks.” 

“At the Show, we aim to bring people closer together through art: exhibitors to buyers, artists to collectors, and sponsor brands to target audiences. It’s unfortunately clear that delivering on our mission at this time is compromised. Regrettably, there seems little end in sight for the protests in Hong Kong with the knock-on effect on the broader economy accelerating. Our regular exhibitors are apprehensive and given this we will suspend the Spring 2020 edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show, and participation in Hong Kong Art Week. I expect others might end up doing the same.”

“Meantime, we will accelerate efforts with our online marketplace Asia Contemporary Art Buyer (www.asiacontemporaryart.com), now the largest in Hong Kong, and where we are seeing increased traffic and buyer inquiries. Exhibitor applications for the show’s next Fall Edition (October 8th – 11th, 2020) will open early in the New Year. All application deposits for Spring 2020 will be refunded or transferred to the Fall 2020 event.”

 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 30 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 largest art website, Asia Contemporary Art Buyer (www.asiacontemporaryart.com). The site features over 11,500 artworks from 1,600 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. 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

ARTS SPONSOR – MACEY & SONS

Macey & Sons is a Hong Kong-based art brokerage and auctioneer since 2011 that specializes in advising clients on starting or expanding their art collection as alternative investment assets. They are also experts in sourcing and trading art and collectibles around the globe, with a unique focus for high appreciation potential and various exit strategies.

PRINCIPAL PARTNER – BUPA GLOBAL

Bupa Global is the international health insurance arm of Bupa, serving customers around the world.  The company provides products and services for globally minded and mobile people who want the most premium coverage and access to the healthcare they need anytime, anywhere in the world, whether at home or when studying, living, travelling or working abroad. Bupaglobal.com

PRESENTING PARTNER OF INTERSECTIONS: CHINA – CHINA MERCHANTS BANK HONG KONG BRANCH

China Merchants Bank Hong Kong Branch is the first overseas branch of China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. As a fully licensed bank in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong branch provides enterprises and individuals with a full range of commercial banking services. Since its establishment in 2002, the Hong Kong branch has been actively developing distinctive products and services, meanwhile participating in charity to give back to the community.

The Asia Contemporary Art Show would like to acknowledge and thank arts patrons Macey & Sons, Bupa Global, China Merchants Bank Hong Kong Branch, FREYWILLE, Kuehne & Nagel, Venture Studios and FIJI Water; as well as partners Hine, HK Liquor Store, Samuel Adams, Leaf Tea Boutique, Cathay Pacific Airways and The Mercury for their support.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 16th edition of the Asia Contemporary Art will be held on October 8th – 11th, 2020. The Show is limited to 85 galleries from Asia and the world and will feature two popular sectors, Intersections: China, the sixth in a series that will focus on the conceptual crossing of artistic ideas; and Artist Dialogues, dedicated to solo and joint artist presentations. 

For media enquiries, please contact:

Mark Saunderson

Director

Tel: +852 9852 0661 / mark@asiacontemporaryart.com

Mia Cheng

PR & Social Media Executive

Tel: +852 2811 9015 / mia@asiacontemporaryart.com