[press release]
The 8th edition of the very popular and successful Asia Contemporary Art Show opens in two weeks with an invitation-only VIP Collectors Preview on Thursday March 24 th, followed by three days open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Show will be held on four floors at the 5-star Conrad Hong Kong, presenting more than 3,000 works of art by 86 exhibitors from 17 countries.
Director Mark Saunderson noted that this is the most important time of the year for art in Hong Kong. “As with previous years, we are expecting many thousands of international visitors to be in town for Hong Kong Art Week and Art Basel Hong Kong, and residents and expatriates to be out in force to see artwork presented across the city.
“Refraction” by Du Haijun, Nancy’s Gallery, China, Room 4309
“Now in its 8 th edition, the Asia Contemporary Art Show has established a unique position in the market. We have a loyal and growing following of collectors and art buyers who appreciate our wide selection of works by some of the world’s most interesting and promising artists – from emerging and mid-career artists, to those who have already achieved recognition in private and public collections, and at auction. Visitors to the Show also enjoy meeting with the artists present; this time, we welcome more than 50 artists.”
“7 October 1976″ by Wessel Huisman, The Netherlands, Room 4326 (Left) “8 End of November – Beginning of December 1978″ by Wessel Huisman, The Netherlands, Room 4326 (Right)
A number of special events will be presented at the Show:
Pioneers of premium photography in the high-end portraiture space, Venture Studios will present a display of photographic and digital artworks, and will also offer show visitors the opportunity to take home their own piece of art with themself as the star. Artist and photographer duo Dawn Austin and Rick Reeder will create embellished artwork for individuals, who will then be photographed and the image brought to life on the spot. Venture Studios, Room 4015.
Acclaimed pen-and-ink artist Jeff Murray from the United Kingdom has created a special selection of new works featuring Asia scenes and themes. Meet the artist and view these works in Room 4304.
Distinguished Dutch visual artist and photographer Wessel Huisman will also present a new body of work featuring Hong Kong themes, painted especially for the VIP Lounge at the Asia Contemporary Art Show. Meet the artist in the VIP Lounge, Room 4326.
Art lovers and collectors are invited to participate in a special social media campaign to celebrate the 8th edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show. Using creative ways to post the number “8” and to share using hashtags #asiacontemporaryartshow, #pose8post8 and #hkartweek, participants have the opportunity to win complimentary tickets to the show, and a grand prize of an original painting.
The Asia Contemporary Art Show would like to acknowledge and thank arts patrons Macey and Sons Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd, Venture Studios, Fiji Water and Langton’s Hong Kong; as well as hospitality partners Samuel Adams, Leaf Tea Boutique and Arissto for their support.
Tickets for the Asia Contemporary Art Show are now available for HK$220 (buy one and bring a friend for free) at http://www.hkticketing.com. Tickets at the door are HK$220 per person.
“Cyber Girl (Shaman), Taurus Constellation” by Hiroyuki Takahashi, Deodato Arte, Italy, Room 4221
FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE ASIA CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW
HIROYUKI TAKAHASHI – JAPAN
Hiroyuki Takahashi is an international exponent of the Mood Shojo, the artistic movement born in Japan in ’90s and now very popular among Asian emerging talents. The artist is very popular in Japan, especially in social media channels. According to the Shojo tradition, he usually wears trendy female dresses, often designed by himself. Using the Superflat style developed by Murakami and Yoshimoto, Takahashi focuses on females with frozen images and digitalized girls in an urban context. The artist is also popular in Paris, where he recently participated in the leading fashion fair “Première Vision,” collaborating with international brands like Apple to realize fashion events and workshops. Represented by Deodato Arte, Italy, Room 4221.
“Romance Sonambulo” by Alberto Sanchez, Retrospect Galleries, Australia, Room 4315
ALBERTO SANCHEZ – SPAIN & AUSTRALIA
Originally from Spain and now based in Byron Bay, Australia, photographic artist Sanchez has developed an unique hand-colouring technique that enables him to develop scenarios of a science-fiction nature out of most ordinary scenarios. This heavy use of hand- colouring and texture results in a range of colourful masquerades and improbable landscapes. The artist’s fine art photography has won him numerous awards, including semi-finalist in Australia’s coveted Doug Moran Portrait Prize. Retrospect Galleries, Australia, Room 4315.
“Love is Gone” by Koso Sato, Sunny Art Museum, Taiwan, Room 4011 (Left) “Welcome” by Koso Sato, Sunny Art Museum, Taiwan, Room 4011 (Right)
KOSO SATO – JAPAN
Koso Sato, born 1948 in Akita, Japan, graduated from Musashino Art University’s oil painting department in 1970. Sato’s work received frequent honours at exhibitions, and in 1977 he headed for the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris to enrich his studies. First visiting Taiwan by invitation in 1989, he grew fond of the people and culture and decided to hold frequent exhibitions on the island. After settling in Taiwan for over a decade, Sato moved back to Japan’s Yamanshi Prefecture, where he currently resides. The artist’s works, which range from his early impressionistic and expressionistic styles to later neo-cubist and abstract pieces, have had a considerable influence on the younger generation of artists in Taiwan. Sunny Art Museum, Taiwan, Room 4011.
“A Taste of Hope” by Mario Gomez, Mishin Fine Arts, USA, Room 4212 (Top) “Longing for Return” by Mario Gomez, Mishin Fine Arts, USA, Room 4212 (Bottom)
MARIO GOMEZ – CHILE
Mario Gomez was born in 1968 in Concepcion, Chile, and studied under many of the nation’s most influential painters at the School of Art at the Pontifical Catholic University. His works are held in many museum collections, including the National Fine Arts Museum, Santiago, Chile; Mucsarnok Museum, Budapest, Hungary; Sogetsu Museum, Tokyo, Japan;Revolution Museum, Moscow, Russia; Maisond’ Amerique Latine, Paris, France; and the Osaka Contemporary Art Center, Osaka, Japan. Works by Gomez can also be found notable private collections, including those of the former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, renowned author Isabel Allende, and many others. His vibrant paintings beckon the viewers to reimagine their own childhood, breathing life and joy. The source of Gomez’s images is often autobiographical and reminiscent of the fantasies of his childhood. Mishin Fine Arts, USA, Room 4212.
STEPHEN GLASSBUROW – THE UNITED KINGDOM & AUSTRALIA
“Bronze figurative sculpture has a long tradition,” explains British born and now Australian resident sculptor, Stephen Glassburow. “For me, the Art Deco period was the foundation for inspiration. Running parallel to that are ideas that spring from photographic imagery, fashion and robotics. Somewhere, ideas develop and grow, but always around the figure.” The artist moved to Australia as a young professional sculptor in the early 1980s, and has since attracted considerable interest and many commissions throughout Australia and Asia. In his work, Glassborow relies heavily on traditional classical precedents and careful anatomical observation, but nevertheless manages to temper his respect for figurative precision with a refined elegance and beauty. “I find retaining fluidity in the body, while still achieving sharp muscular perfection through clay, quite thrilling,” says Glassborow. The Gallery Eumundi, Australia, Room 4310.
“Point of View” by Stephen Glassburow, The Gallery Eumundi, Australia, Room 4310
YANG YANLING – CHINA
Yang Yanling, who was born in Shandong and currently lives and works in Beijing, is a professional artist specialising in a delicate style of flower paintings. The works are created mainly with traditional techniques, and at the same time present non-traditional and sometimes surreal perspectives. Explains the artist: “Compared to flowers in real, those that I paint are not really flowers. They are more of an exploration of things from a macro view to a micro view, a game from known to unknown. When we switch an angle to see something that we are used to keeping at a distance, the same thing will look completely different.” Yan was born in 1974 in Zibo, Shandong Province, and graduated from the traditional Chinese painting department of Shandong University of Arts. Lan’s Gallery, Hong Kong, Room 4123.
“Yang” by Yang Yanling, Lan’s Gallery, Hong Kong, Room 4123
Asia Contemporary Art Show Key Facts:
The Show
Runs from March 24 – 27, 2016, over four floors at the 5‐star Conrad Hong Kong in convenient Pacific Place Features over 3,000 artworks present by more than 80 exhibiting galleries Artworks from talented emerging and mid‐career artists, through to well‐known artists who have achieved success at auction Exhibitors from 17 countries presenting original paintings, limited editions, sculpture and photography More than 50 artists present at the Show Opens with an invitation-only VIP Collectors Preview on Thursday March 24, and continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “Friday ART Night” on Friday March 25
Online
Hong Kong’s largest art website www.asiacontemporaryart.com presents more than 7,500 artworks, updated daily Original paintings, limited editions, sculpture and photography by 1,200 artists from 50 countries around the world Collectors and art lovers can visit the site to discover works of art, learn about artists and galleries, see prices, make inquiries, set up appointments for the Show, and buy works to “beat the rush” After the Show, users can continue discovering and buying art 24/7, all year round “Art Alert” emails alert buyers to new artworks on the site
