"Farewell My Concubine No.1" by You Yang, Nancy's Gallery, China, Room 4218

Special features include a focus on South Korean contemporary art and the return of Artist Dialogues presented by Cask 88

Hong Kong, August 9, 2018: Returning this Fall with its 13^th anticipated edition, the Asia Contemporary Art Show at the Conrad Hong Kong, opens on September 28^th until October 1^st. As the longest running and most successful hotel art fair in Asia, the Show will include artwork from countries such as Myanmar, the United States, South Korea, Lebanon, Russia, China, Japan, Hong Kong and many others. 

Beginning on Friday, September 28^th, arts patrons and select guests will be welcomed at the exclusive UnionPay Private View. This will be followed by an invitation-only UnionPay VIP Collectors Preview. General admission opens on Saturday, September 29^th and continues with regular show hours until Monday, October 1^st.

“At the Asia Contemporary Art Show we strive to reflect current trends in the contemporary art market.” remarked Show Director Mark Saunderson. “This Fall, we will feature special sectors Intersections: South Korea and Artist Dialogues presented by Cask 88. Viewers will see a wide array of artwork by over 70 artists from across South Korea that highlight the fusion of influences from Confucian to Christian, and reflect popular culture (K-pop) as well as social issues that shape South Korean contemporary art.”

“And that is not all, the 13^th edition will feature a variety of artists both up and coming and established working in a variety of mediums, many of whom are new to our Show. These include Wang Liwei, an exciting young Chinese sculptor who sculpts with leather creating dynamic figures, Tibetan artist Nornor who lets inspiration drive his creative process, and Japanese artist Ikumi Nakada who portrays children using delicate brushstrokes recreating memories of childhood and childish innocence.”

“We are very excited to welcome Cask 88 as our new Presenting Partner for Artist Dialogues. Cask 88 will be whipping up whisky cocktails for our visitors to sip while browsing art and engaging in conversation with over 20 participating artists.”

Sculpture, Art in 3-D

Salvador Dalí, Spain – Appraisal & Collection Fine Arts,             Room 4321

Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) is a surrealist painter who also delved into sculpture, printmaking, fashion, advertising, writing, and filmmaking. Famous for his larger than life personality and role of mischievous provocateur as much as for his undeniable technical virtuosity, Dalí is known for using psychoanalytic methods of mining the subconscious to generate imagery. He is considered one of the three most representative artists of the 20^th century alongside Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

 "Triumphant Elephant" by Salvador Dalí, Appraisal & Collection Fine Arts, Hong Kong, Room 4321

Wang Liwei, China – Times Space, Room 4222

After completing his Tianjin Academy of Arts, Wang Liwei (b. 1983) decided to explore the use of soft materials in the language of sculpture. Rejecting common materials such as clay, wood or iron, Wang began to experiment with leather. Each piece is individually crafted over a resin core. By choosing not to sew pieces together but rather to expose joining seams on the outside of the sculptures, the seams become part of the ornamentation.

 "Empty of Characteristics 2" by Wang Liwei, Times Space, China, Room 4222

 Yuki Nara, Japan – Artists in Taiwan, Room 4312

Yuki Nara (b. 1989) is a descendant in a long line of famous Japanese ceramists. Nara’s aim is to create ceramics that are light and transparent rather than the conventional and dignified ceramics. To achieve his goal, Nara studied architecture in order to learn and incorporate architectural modeling techniques into his sculptures. According to Nara, ceramics are able to absorb its surroundings and retain the special mood of its place, gently connecting, rather than separating, the interior from the exterior.

"Bone Flower 2" by Yuki Nara, Artists in Taiwan, Taiwan, Room 4312

A World of Art at the Asia Contemporary Art Show

"Autumn Riverside" by Toshimitsu Imai,          Macey & Sons, Hong Kong, Room 4226

Toshimitsu Imai, Japan – Macey & Sons,        Room 4226

Toshimitsu Imai (1928-2002) was an influential 20^th century avant-garde Japanese artist who was a key figure of the Art Informal movement. His early days were characterised by an ‘ultra-complex structure’ using strong colours and heavy brushstrokes. Transcending after the Informal to Ka-Cho-Fu-Getsu (flower, birds, wind, and moon) series, Imai expresses the beauties of nature indicative of his gentle and romantic sensitivity. In his final series Hiroshima, Imai turned to a war-related series during the 90’s.

Kim Myeong Gon, South Korea – Gallery JHAK, Room 4205

Kim Myeong Gon (b. 1969) graduated in 2000 with a Master of Fine Arts; he has had 22 solo exhibitions and over 180 group shows over the world. His works are composed of hundreds and thousands of colour faces, and focuses on a dynamic image of a city and an object that have the driving force towards the restoration of life. His works are mostly found in private collections in South Korea.

"Car with A Dream 12" by Kim Myeong Gon, Gallery JHAK, South Korea, Room 4205

 Chris Rivers, United Kingdom, Room 4111

Chris Rivers a self-taught artist from Manchester, England, discovered his passion for painting during his time as a professional rock music drummer. Rivers believes in the process of trial and error and learning things for yourself, going into the unknown and painting with a certain amount of not having a plan about where it’ll go. He works in a surrealistic meets abstract style, experimenting with the darker side of beauty and innocence.

 "Mountains We Climb" by Chris Rivers, United Kingdom, Room 4111

Poon Kwing Wing, Water, China – BLINK Gallery,       Room 4020

Poon Kwing Wing, Water (b. 1944) is an artist, photographer, designer and film director. Poon’s works include “Water Poon Collections”, “Still Water Runs Long” and “Los Angeles”, which have been exhibited in Japan and United States. Poon is especially interested in Chinese ink painting due to his passion in Chinese heritage. The abstract ink splashes on the Xuan paper reflects the pursuit of mind and spiritual purity of the modern urbanite.

 "Infinite" by Poon Kwing Wing, Water, BLINK Gallery, Hong Kong, Room 4020

Ikumi Nakada, Japan – Suomei Gallery, Room 4004

Ikumi Nakada (b. 1982) who is a member of the artist group “Gazoku”, portrays children using delicate brushstrokes to recreate memories of childhood and childish innocence. Her depictions of children are based on her observations of children’s behaviour. Gradually she forms a connection between her observations and her childhood memories, and channels them into her works using soft colours and textures.

 "Melt" (detail) by Ikumi Nakada, Suomei Gallery, China, Room 4004

Nornor, China – iTibet Art Space, Room 4024

Tibetan artist Nornor (b. 1988) is a graduate of the Art School at Tibet University. Nornor joined iTibet Art Space in 2012. Once Nornor is hit by inspiration, he will start to paint unceasingly, without the use of a draft, but always integrating centuries-old traditions and techniques of constructing Tibetan Buddhist imagery into his works. In terms of his artwork, he prefers to leave the interpretation of the works to his audience instead of explaining himself.

 "Emptiness" (detail) by Nornor, iTibet Art Space, China, Room 4024

EXHIBITOR LIST

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 PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

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 1,700 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 168 countries and regions with issuance in 48 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

Macey & Sons are incredibly proud to present to their existing and new clients a complete and stunning full refurbishment of Floor 19 Winsome House in Central, Hong Kong. A genuine world-class art investment gallery showroom and VIP by invitation private viewing room.

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 their art investments. With a rich and varied portfolio sourced from around the globe, from blue chip Chinese contemporary artists to traditional ink, iconic legends to rare collectibles, Macey & Sons specialise in sourcing and trading art in both the primary as well as the secondary market. Macey & Sons help clients invest in alternative assets with high appreciation potential and advise in resale options and various exit strategies. Situated in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong, Macey & Sons invite you to contact them by any means and arrange a private consultation with their expert team of professional advisors.

The Asia Contemporary Art Show would like to acknowledge and thank arts patrons UnionPay International, Macey & Sons, Cask 88, Royce Cellar, HK Liquor Store, Connecting Myanmar and FIJI Water; as well as hospitality partners Bernard Magrez, Leaf Tea Boutique, Samuel Adams and Magners Irish Cider for their support.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Asia Contemporary Art Show, 13th Edition

Conrad Hong Kong, 40 – 43 floors 

September 28^th – October 1^st, 2018

Opening Hours:

Friday, September 28^th

UnionPay Private View (Invitation only)                           |    3pm – 5pm

UnionPay VIP Collectors Preview (Invitation only)          |    5pm – 9pm 

General Admission:

Saturday, September 29^th             |    1pm – 8pm

Sunday, September 30^th               |    1pm – 8pm 

Monday, October 1^st                     |    11am – 6pm

Tickets:

Available now from HK TICKETING at www.hkticketing.com

HK$270 (admits two if purchased online; admits one if purchased at the door)

Free admission for children under 16yrs accompanied by an adult. 

High-res images and information are downloadable from:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5gmsz8wdamuklnz/AAAhz5QcOqf8wJM3eiRiS1Xja?dl=0

For media enquiries, please contact:

Emma Chen

Email: [email protected] 

Tel: +852 2811 9015 / +852 6557 0516