Despite the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Fine Art Asia 2021 was successfully staged at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from 8 – 11 October. Due to travel restrictions, the focus this year was on Hong Kong’s excellent art and antique galleries and art institutions.
The VIP Private Preview on 7 October attracted more than 3,000 guests, including leading collectors, dealers, celebrities and art lovers. More than 11,000 visitors attended the fair overall.
The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, GBM, GBS, Chief Executive, Hong Kong SAR Government, was Guest of Honour at the Private Preview.
From left: Susanna Lo, CEO, Fine Art Asia; The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, GBM, GBS, Chief Executive; Andy Hei, Founder and Director, Fine Art Asia; Warren Cheng, Director, Fine Art Asia
The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam visited the booth of Ink Creativity Association, Hong Kong which promotes contemporary Chinese ink art.
From left: Wong Hau Kwei, renowned ink artist; The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, GBM, GBS, Chief Executive; Susanna Lo, CEO, Fine Art Asia
Founded in Paris in 1977, de Sarthe deals in masterpieces of 19th and 20th century art. Since 2017, de Sarthe Advisory, Hong Kong is a pioneering platform for contemporary Asian art. Visiting the booth are (2nd from left) Alexandre Giorgini, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, and (right) Angelle Siyang-Le, Regional Head of Gallery Relations Asia, Art Basel
Dickson Yewn (right) set up his fine jewellery design business in Hong Kong in 1995. His family name also signifies good fortune in Chinese. Yewn, Hong Kong aims to revive the sophistication of Chinese arts and culture and be a distinctive jewellery brand that represents modern China.
Maria Kiang Chinese Art, Hong Kong was founded by Maria Kiang (left) in 2006 and has established an international reputation as a leading specialist in literati art, Buddhist art, jades, Song ceramics and works of art. As usual, she showcased outstanding Imperial scholar’s objects at the fair.
Novalis Contemporary Art Design, Hong Kong, an Italian art and design gallery showcasing artworks and fine art photography by 20th and 21st century masters. This year the gallery featured a solo exhibition of photographer Massimo Listri (b. 1953) who is known for his large-scale images of majestic, empty interior spaces.
Rasti Chinese Art, Hong Kong, known for its exquisite Chinese jade and hardstone carvings, curated an exhibition from the renowned Kirknorton Collection of Chinese jades and bronzes at Fine Art Asia 2021. The collection was published in 1995 and has rarely been seen since.
As Education Partner of Fine Art Asia 2021, Hong Kong Palace Museum hosted a programme of lectures and seminars by art experts, strengthening academic discussion and interaction between scholars, galleries and collectors. This lecture was entitled “Palace Culture and Contemporary Art in Dialogue”.
Orientique, Hong Kong, established for more than 20 years, specialises in fine quality Chinese Imperial ceramics and works of art. Its exhibition at Fine Art Asia 2021 ranged from pottery and bronzes of the Neolithic, Han and Tang Dynasties, to Ming and Qing Imperial porcelain.
Contemporary by Angela Li, Hong Kong, founded in 2008, is dedicated to the promotion of contemporary and avant-garde artists from China, Hong Kong and worldwide. Featured at Fine Art Asia 2021 were stunning 3-D mixed media dioramas by Angela Yuen (b. 1991) depicting Hong Kong’s magnificent skylines.
Ben Brown Fine Arts, London/Hong Kong/ Palm Beach, was the first international gallery to open a space in Hong Kong in 2009. At Fine Art Asia 2021, the gallery presented video works by renowned British husband and wife artistic duo artist Rob and Nick Carter. The one pictured is from the series “Transforming Still Life Painting”.
Rossi & Rossi, Hong Kong/London, known worldwide as experts in Himalayan and Indian antiques and works of art, also showcased contemporary works by US-based Tibetan artist Tenzing Rigdol (b. 1982). Here Fabio Rossi introduces his work during a guided tour for the Italian Women’s Association.
“Museum Directors in Conversation: A Half Century of Museum Culture in Hong Kong”,
presented by Hong Kong Palace Museum, attracted a full house. The speakers were (left) Dr Louis Ng, Director, Hong Kong Palace Museum and Prof. Joseph Ting, Adjunct Professor, Department of History, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Member of the Board of Directors, Hong Kong Palace Museum
Tanya Baxter Contemporary, London/Hong Kong, specialists in post-war modern and contemporary art, exhibited works by British artists such as Lucian Freud, Frank Auerbach, Sean Scully, Francis Bacon, David Hockney and Tracey Emin at Fine Art Asia 2021. Here visitors admire “Nola (White Rain)” by Banksy.
Friends of the Art Museum – The Chinese University of Hong Kong enjoyed a guided tour of Fine Art Asia 2021, including a visit to the booth of Macey & Sons, Hong Kong, a long-standing pioneer in art brokerage and auctioneering, exhibiting art, antique and luxury collectables.
Hong Kong Palace Museum’s booth offered a preview of the Museum’s landmark building, innovative programmes and breathtaking treasures that will be on view for its grand opening in July 2022.
From left: Andy Hei, Founder and Director, Fine Art Asia; Henry Tang, Chairman of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Louis Ng, Director, Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Ink Society, Hong Kong, was once again Education Partner of Fine Art Asia 2021 and also presented a special exhibition “A Tribute to Ding Yanyong” at the fair. A panel discussion “The Art and Memories of Ding Yanyong”, as well as the presentation of the Liu Kuo-sung Ink Art Award 2021, took place at The Ink Society’s booth.
Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong, founded by Chang Tsong-zung (Johnson Chang) in 1983, remains at the forefront of Chinese contemporary art, promoting artists from Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The work shown here is by BuZi (1959-2013).
Palais Royal Hong Kong was originally established in Paris in 1996, specialising in antique jewellery and objets de vertu by leading designers of the 19th century through to 1970.
Boogie Woogie Photography, Hong Kong was founded in 2016 to promote photography in Asia. Among the works showcased at Fine Art Asia 2021 were photographs by landscape photographer Stephen King (left).
As part of the Academic Programme of Fine Art Asia 2021, Hong Kong Palace Museum presented a demonstration, “Conservator in Action: Demonstration of Chinese Painting Conservation Tools and Materials”, conducted by Mr Zhichao Lyu, Conservator, Hong Kong Palace Museum (right).
Renowned Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor Aaron Kwok at the booth of ARTX Gallery, Hong Kong, specialising in contemporary art.
Yan Gallery, Hong Kong presented an exhibition of limited edition prints by Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010), one of the most highly acclaimed Chinese artists of the 20th century, who unified the artistic cultures of East and West, tradition and modernity in his paintings.
Fine Art Asia 2021 was the first fine art fair to host an exclusive exhibition devoted to NFTs, demonstrating the idea of collecting artworks virtually. Pictured is well-known comic artist Jerry Cho with his NFT artworks on the theme of art and culture from past Chinese dynasties.
An NFT auction was co-presented by Fine Art Asia 2021 in cooperation with HK01 Joyful Foundation, paying tribute to Hong Kong’s athletes in this year of the Tokyo Olympics. This work shows swimmer Siobhan Haughey who won two Olympic silver medals.
Gallery Jeeum, Seoul/Hong Kong shows contemporary artists from South Korea as well as international artists working in various media and practices. The artwork on display is “The Day and Night” by Son IL (b. 1971).
The Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong was established in 2018 with the aim of introducing Korean culture and heritage, and promoting cultural exchange. The Center provides a platform for artists from Korea and Hong Kong to collaborate.
Visitors admire the work “Scholar’s Accoutrements” by Kim Duck Yong (b.1961) at the booth of Soluna Fine Art, Hong Kong. The gallery specialises in Asian fine art and objects with deep roots in South Korea.
Hong Kong Cancer Fund was once again a beneficiary organisation of Fine Art Asia 2021.
A charity auction of works by Hong Kong artists, curated by Eric Leung Siu Kee, was held at the fair, with all proceeds going towards HKCF’s free cancer support services.
Karin Weber Gallery, Hong Kong, founded in 1999, is one of Hong Kong oldest contemporary art galleries. Featured in its exhibition were innovative multimedia works by Emily Allchurch (b. 1974) such as
“Solitary Temple Hong Kong, 2019”.