The only fair in Asia to show the best of modern and contemporary art, showcasing 100 top galleries from across the world.
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
14-18 May 2008
Asia and above all China has well and truly arrived on the international art scene. With the meteoric rise of Contemporary Asian Art, the eyes of the world are transfixed as the region asserts growing importance culturally as well as economically. Collectors and curators, the world over, are awakening to the quality and significance of works from Asia in today’s shifting cultural landscape. In turn, collectors from Asia are buying not only Asian Contemporary Art but also International Modern and Contemporary work from around the globe. Hong Kong has long been recognised as the gateway to Asia and the West and provides the ideal location for a major international art fair that reflects the rapidly changing times in which we live.
Hong Kong is now the third largest art market in the world by auction sales after New York and London. It is one of the most advantageous destinations in Asia to buy and sell art as there is no tax on the import and export of art. This gives Hong Kong a huge advantage over mainland China which has a punitive import tax of 34% that hits any mainland purchase of imported art.
Hong Kong lies at the heart of Asia, within easy reach of mainland China, but importantly it is geographically poised to reach the seasoned collectors of Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Japan. Moreover Hong Kong’s position as the leading financial hub in Asia, with its wealthy Chinese and expat communities, provides a solid base of collectors and art enthusiasts. Hong Kong is unparalleled as the location for a major international art fair and provides ART HK 08 with the ideal foundations from which to become the international
art fair for Asia.
ART HK 08 is set to become an integral part of the cultural fabric of Hong Kong. In addition to the collectors and investors from Hong Kong, Asia Pacific and across the world that will be invited to attend ART HK 08, the Fair will target those with strong interests in the visual arts and culture whilst collaborating closely with Hong Kong’s schools, universities, museums and non -profit arts organisations. To this end, the Fair organisers are currently designing in consultation with Hong Kong organisations and professionals a programme of educational events around the Fair. This will include a series of forums, guided educational tours around the Fair, a curated exhibition focussed on Hong Kong contemporary art and a specially devised programme for children and youth.
The organisers are designing a comprehensive program with the specific aim of reaching collectors, the arts community and art lovers as well as the general public, to stimulate interest in Modern and Contemporary Art and to develop the art scene in Hong Kong for the long term. With the recent announcement of the go ahead of the development of the West Kowloon cultural district, Hong Kong is now well positioned to become the arts capital of Asia and once again the gateway between East and West.
ART HK 08 is already receiving high level applications and interest from galleries internationally and has assembled a range of impressive partners which include Quintessentially, Art Asia Pacific Magazine, and the Asia Tatler Magazine portfolio which produces specific editions around the Asia region.
For further information, please contact Stephanie Chan on +852 2918 8793 or email:
steph@honkongartfair.com
Notes to the Editor:
ART HK 08 is organised by Asian Arts Fairs Ltd; a collaboration between:
Single Market Events - The leading independent events organisation company in UK and Australia organises high profile events such as London Fashion Week and The British International Motor Show.
Will Ramsay - CEO of the PULSE Contemporary Art Fairs in New York, Miami and now London.
Andry Montgomery Ltd - A global pioneer of international exhibitions which over a period of 20 years, has built a strong reputation in China and Hong Kong.
Magnus Renfrew, Fair Director - Prior to his current position, Magnus was Manager and Head of
Exhibitions for Contrasts Gallery in Shanghai. Previously, Magnus was a London-based Modern and Contemporary Art Specialist with the auction house Bonhams; and was instrumental in bringing to fruition their first sale of Contemporary Asian Art in London.
Dr Charles Merewether, Chairman of the Advisory Group - An art historian, writer and curator, Charles was recently Consultant for the Emirates Foundation in the UAE and Artistic Director and Curator of the 2006 Biennale of Sydney. He is currently writing a book on the cultural history of looting, and another on Postwar photography in Japan and preparing an exhibition on Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
An impressive Advisory Group includes: Mary Dinaburg (Founder and Director of Dinaburg Arts LLC), Philip Dodd (ex Director of Institute of Contemporary Art, London and currently Creative Director of the China Now Festival, UK 2008), Elaine W. Ng (Editor of ArtAsiaPacific), Howard Rutkowski (Co-founder of Fortune Cookie Projects) and Will Ramsay (CEO of Pulse Contemporary Art Fairs).
For exhibitor enquiries, please contact Magnus Renfrew on either +852 2918 8791 magnus@hongkongartfair.com or alternatively visit our website www.hongkongartfair.com to download an exhibitor application form directly.
ART HK 08, Suite 1905 Lippo Centre Tower 2, 89 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong