Sept 2021

World-class Art and Antiques at Fine Art Asia 2021
8 – 11 October 2021

Atsuko Tanaka (1932-2005)
Work
1976
Vinyl paint on canvas
Signed and dated on the verso
H. 91 x W. 73 cm
de Sarthe Advisory, Hong Kong

A large parcel-gilt vase with silver inlay
Attributed to Hu Wenming
Ming Dynasty, 16th to 17th century
H. 23 cm, W. 895 g
Maria Kiang Chinese Art,
Hong Kong

Inga Svala Thórsdóttir (b. 1966) &
Wu Shanzhuan (b. 1960)
7 in 1
2018
100% natural dyed wool,
hand knotted in Iran
H. 260 x W. 240 cm
Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong

Fine Art Asia 2021, Asia’s leading international fine art fair, returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday 8 October to Monday 11 October 2021, with a Private Preview on Thursday, 7 October 2021.

Despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fine Art Asia 2021 will deliver another vibrant, home-grown art fair this October. Due to continuing travel restrictions, the focus is once again on Hong Kong’s excellent art and antiques galleries, as well as its leading art institutions.


About Fine Art Asia

Fine Art Asia was founded in 2006 by Hong Kong art experts and has earned a reputation in the international art world as the most distinguished annual fine art fair in the region. Fine Art Asia provides an unrivalled annual platform for art and antiques from both East and West during the peak art season in Hong Kong. Fine Art Asia 2021 again proudly presents an impressive collection of museum-quality fine art spanning 5,000 years of cultural history from the Neolithic period to today. Showcased are world-class Asian and Western antiques, jewellery, modern and contemporary art and design, ink art and photography.

 

Highlight Galleries

Renowned antique exhibitors returning to Fine Art Asia include Rossi & Rossi (London/Hong Kong) showing Himalayan and Indian antiques and works of art, as well as contemporary works by US-based Tibetan artist Tenzing Rigdol (b. 1982). Rasti Chinese Art (Hong Kong) will curate an exhibition from the renowned Kirknorton Collection of Chinese jades and bronzes, published in 1995 and rarely seen since. The main theme of the collection is animal carvings spanning almost 3,000 years.

In a unique collaboration with two overseas galleries exhibiting remotely due to travel restrictions, Andy Hei Ltd. (Hong Kong) specialising in classical Ming and Qing Chinese furniture teams up with Nicholas Grindley (London) in the same category, complemented by contemporary ink paintings exhibited by Pine’s Art (Taipei/Shanghai).

Maria Kiang Chinese Art (Hong Kong) presents rare and delicate scholar’s objects, in collaboration with exquisite modern Western and Asian design works exhibited by 88 Gallery (Hong Kong). Wui Po Kok (Hong Kong) specialises in ancient Chinese art; Martin Fung (Hong Kong) in Chinese lacquer; while Orientique (Hong Kong) showcases fine quality Chinese Imperial ceramics and other important and rare works of Chinese art.

In the art section, Hanart TZ Gallery (Hong Kong) will exhibit modern and contemporary art by featured artists Inga Svala Thórsdóttir, Wu Shanzhuan and BuZi. Chelesa Art Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong/Shanghai) presents a solo exhibition by Shanghai artist Hong Jian (b.1967); while Grotto Fine Arts (Hong Kong) showcases Hong Kong artists including Wai Pong Yu and Xie Chenguan. Tanya Baxter Contemporary (London/Hong Kong) is exhibiting modern British artists such as Lucian Freud, Frank Auerbach, Sean Scully, Francis Bacon, David Hockney and Tracey Emin. YEWN (Hong Kong) presents its latest creations of art jewellery inspired by the Imperial dynasties. Boogie Woogie Photography (Hong Kong) showcases works by veteran photographer Sabine Weiss (b. 1924) and Isabelle Boccon-Gibod (b. 1968).

Fine Art Asia 2021 is delighted to welcome prestigious new galleries to the fair this year. These include Ben Brown Fine Arts (London/Hong Kong/Palm Beach) presenting a video work by renowned British husband and wife artistic duo artist Rob and Nick Carter; and de Sarthe Advisory (Hong Kong) with works by 20th century masters including Atsuko Tanaka and Max Ernst. A Gallery (Hong Kong) showcases artists from both West and East including Arman and Shi Lifeng; while The Gallery by SOIL (Hong Kong) is the first gallery to focus on contemporary lacquer works by Asian artists.

 

Special Exhibition: NFTs

Fine Art Asia 2021 is proud to be the first major fine art fair to host an exclusive exhibition area devoted to NFTs, featuring a combination of ancient and modern art, culture and virtual financial technology. The exhibition travels from past to present, reinterpreting art and culture in the new era.

Fine Art Asia introduced NFT works for the first time at Art Basel Hong Kong 2021. The concept received an overwhelming response, capturing the attention of many dealers and collectors. At Fine Art Asia 2021, Andy Hei, Founder and Director of Fine Art Asia, and Warren Cheng, Director of Fine Art Asia, co-curate the first NFT exhibition at the fair. This is the first large-sale cross-sector collaboration in the pursuit of innovative ideas, demonstrating the idea of collecting artworks virtually.

The first exhibition is an NFT auction co-presented by Fine Art Asia 2021 in cooperation with HK01 Joyful Foundation, paying tribute to Hong Kong’s athletes to coincide with this year of the Tokyo Olympics. 10 NFT works will be presented featuring special moments for these athletes. All proceeds will be donated to the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, strengthening training and support for Hong Kong athletes.

A second exhibition aims to make antiques more accessible to the public through NFTs. Well-known comic artist Jerry Cho and animation artist Step C will create stunning NFT artworks on the theme of the art and culture from past Chinese dynasties.

In a third exhibition entitled “Crystal Clear”, NFTs can be exchanged for physical jewellery pieces created by renowned actress Crystal Fung Ying Ying. The theme is the “Journey of Life”, with a limited edition of crystal bracelets representing the three stages – seeds, flowers and fruit. The fruit bracelet is inlaid with antique gold ornaments to create a unique art treasure.

This year, for the first time in Hong Kong, Fine Art Asia will also launch new VVIP tickets in the form of NFTs which are sent to visitors’ virtual wallets one week before the fair. Visitors who present the NFT at the fair reception will receive a VIP ticket admitting two people and a gift. The quota for NFT VVIP tickets is 50, first come, first served.

 

Special Exhibition: “A Tribute to Ding Yanyong”

The Ink Society presents a special exhibition, “A Tribute to Ding Yanyong” at Fine Art Asia 2021. The exhibition is the fifth instalment of the “Tribute” series, which celebrates the art and legacies of master ink painters. Often referred to as “Matisse of the East”, Ding Yanyong (1902–1978) created a highly original visual language by synthesising the Chinese ink painting tradition with modern European art.

 

Academic Programme

Fine Art Asia 2021 has a high-profile trio of Education Partners this year: The Ink Society, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Hong Kong Art School. They will once again host an Academic Programme of lectures and seminars by art experts from Hong Kong, strengthening academic discussion and interaction between scholars, galleries and collectors. In addition, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will present a series of dance and musical performances for the enjoyment of visitors to the fair.

For full lecture details, please visit fineartasia.com/academic-programme

 

Andy Hei, Founder and Director of Fine Art Asia, said, “The Hong Kong art market is still strong, as witnessed in the buoyant sales at art fairs which resumed in Hong Kong this year.  Collectors, both new and established, are very eager to find and buy high quality art. Fine Art Asia is sadly unable to host overseas galleries this year, due to travel restrictions, but we are delighted to welcome prestigious Hong Kong galleries who are world-class in their respective fields. Fine Art Asia is fully committed to Hong Kong’s economic and cultural development, strengthening further Hong Kong’s role as an international hub for cultural exchange between China and the world.”

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