H Queen’s in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s shiny new gallery hub is H Queen’s with 24 storeys that tower above Queens Road in Central HK. Seven galleries have already moved in to their respective spaces prior to Art Basel HK fair including Pace, Pearl Lam, David Zwirner, Tang contemporary and Whitestone Gallery to name a few. A roof crane is needed to install large works when that does not fit in the narrow elevators. Impressive to have a complete new building dedicated to gallery space in one of the most expensive cities in the world when it comes to real estate. Should not be missed on your next trip to HK!

Van Gogh’s celebrated

Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi is an admirer of Vincent van Gogh and created a series of vibrant paintings for a special exhibition at Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, as previously informed. The exhibition finish end of February 2018.
It display 5 works whereof 3 portraits of Van Gogh. His style, appearance and personality are united in this many self-portraits and Zeng replicated the Dutch artist’s works before covering them with his own, distinctive , swirling lines.
In Zeng’s works, which come alive with their sinuous lines, the modern artist links his own style and identity to the life and work of Van Gogh. Zeng’s ambition is to be a global artist like Van Gogh has become, but also give a tribute to the Dutch artist, like the animated movie recently released. Stunning work!

Zeng Fanzhi re-invents Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh is a master and now China’s most famous artist is taking the challenge to re-create some of Van Gogh’s most iconic self-portraits and paintings. This new exhibition at van Gogh’s museum opened in Amsterdam and runs until February 25, 2018 and in a unique fusion presents a series of striking paintings that lend a fresh energy and vibrancy to the Dutch artist’s work. Many of Van Gogh’s work are iconic in a way we we not look at the details anymore but with a fresh approach from Zeng Fanzhi, they become interesting and inspiring. It is not a confrontation but more a a fresh and own thing about them with his own distinctive brushstrokes, adding an element of Chinese calligraphy. Here a contemporary artist meets a post-impressionist artist with totally different backgrounds and culture with expressions of other things, other feelings. Even so they have similarity in spirit as artists expressed with “inner excitement”.
Definitely a must-see exhibition.

Chinese Artist at Art Basel

Hao Liang was shown at Beijing’s Vitamin Gallery’s booth at Art Basel and his exquisite painting resembles a treasure from the golden age of Chinese art history – but it is not what it seems. This painting was made by a rising star of contemporary art, Hao Liang.
While other artists of his generation have been experimenting with the latest technologies, abstract and avant-garde approaches, Hao has dedicated himself to absorbing techniques from Chinese art history.
This painting arose as a playful reaction to Ingre’s 1856 masterwork ” The Source”, a portrait of a naked young woman in a trickling grotto, pouring an amphora of water over her shoulders. Hao decided to transliterate this into the Chinese tradition, only as its opposite: illustrating an old man sitting on a rock, looking out onto a wide open body of water with typical Chinese landscape as background. It is painted on silk, using tiny brushes to create multilayered washes of color in the mode of traditional landscape painting.
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York recently acquired his work as a testament to collectors of the Chinese contemporary art scene to say his career is just beginning to take off.

Chinese Artist is the Biggest-selling at Auction

Few people in the art world would know the answer to “Who is the biggest-selling artist at auction?
But works by “Zhang Daqian”, who died in 1983 generated $ 354.8 million in auction sales last year. That is $31 million more than Picasso who is second according to French database Artprice.
Last week at Christie’s sale in Hong Kong a 1965 “splashed ink” scroll painting
” Ancient Temples Amidst Clouds” sold to a telephone bidder for # 13.3 million. Days earlier another modernist painter Zai Hou-Ki who spent most of his working life in France sold a work for $ 19.6 million against an estimate of $5 million. Both originates from a French family collection since 1969.
The scale of these prices reflects how the balance of financial power has shifted to Chinese auctions. In 2016 China captured 38% of the $ 12.45 billion in public art sales worldwide followed by USA at 28%.
It is remarkable when you know that in 1985 it was illegal to sell art in mainland China and now there are over 400 auction houses. The rules are being set by Chinese buyers where the money creation during the last 30 years has been phenomenal. Cynical Realism and Pop art has now moved away towards modern masters and the recognition is catching up, especially when they have passed away.

Li Jin’s Food Journey in America

Li Jin is a Chinese artist known for his sharp simple works placing people, places, food and wine, during his travelling adventures. Earlier this year, Li embarked on a road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and later to New York. Yesterday an exhibition of 40 ink on paper paintings and two bronze sculptures inspired by his experiences from his journey opens at Sotheby’s S2 Gallery in LA. He explains ” as a Chinese artist observing the American way of life, I used the medium of ink to express this fresh and exotic feeling. I have painted myself in the works along with things I love, like delicious food, beautiful women and good wine”. Sounds like a positive source of energy.

Li is a sensitive artist who uses the language of traditional ink to express his life experiences and also display his passion for love of life. He thinks that good artists should be truthful and sincere to themselves. His works have always been a portrayal of his own life, but mostly in a humorous way.

“Forever Bicycles” by Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei sculpture “Forever Bicycles” is on display at the mouth Walles Creek at Lady Bird Lake as from Monday June 5, 2017. The sculpture from the Chinese artist and activist is made from 1,200 bicycles. The work is presented as part of the contemporary Austin’s Museum without wall program and the Waller Creek Conservancy.
This has for natural reasons been a popular subject on Instagram, the photo sharing application.

13th Annual Sovereign Asian Art Prize to Li Hongbo

The winner of the 13th annual Sovereign Asian Art Prize has been awarded Li Hongbo. The Chinese artist won Asia’s longest established award for Contemporary art with a sculpture titled “Desire”, making him the first artist to win the Prize for a 3D work.
“Desire” consists of a knife with a series of delicately carved silhouettes of running figures extending from the blade, with each figure following each other in a line.
The artist was chosen as a winner among over 300 participating artists.
Commenting on his win, Li Hongbo said: I am very honoured and would like to thank The Sovereign Asian Art Prize and the panel of judges for awarding me this prize. This achievement is a very big encouragement for me and will drive me to work harder. I have decided to donate the all the prize money of USD 30,000 to good causes, whereof 50% to the Sovereign Art foundation. What en exceptional prize winner and we wish him all success.

KWM Art Center, Beijing shows Ye Yongqing

KWM Art Center in Beijing presents a solo exhibition by Ye Yongqing entitled “Paper Chase – Presents from Rauschenberg until end of June 2017. It includes over eighty works on paper which covers 20 years of Ye Yongqing’s creative production. Of these there will be 29 works created on a special edition paper manufactured by American Artist Robert Rauschenberg in China 1982. The artist believes that as paper is easily operable it carries connotations of freedom; especially in ancient China.

Ye Yongqing sees each work in the exhibition as a demonstration of and proof to, his attainment of freedom. for details visit: http:/www.kwmartcenter.com

The CEO of Ullens Center in Beijing leaves

The CEO, May Xue, at Beijing Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) located in the 798 district, is stepping down as from April 20th. The museum has been for sale by the present owners, collector Guy and Myriam Ullens for a while, but no potential buyers have been found.
May plans to join another high-profile, privately-funded art initiative in China called K11 Art Foundation based in Shanghai. However her role is more to look after the foundations forthcoming Beijing “Kunsthalle” space, located close to the new K11 art mall, which opens in 2019.
May joined UCCA in 2018 and took leadership in 2011 and the owners saluted her for nine years of incredible serve and leadership at the Ullens Center and developed it into a leading art institution in Beijing and globally. May also appreciate the incredible art journey together as the Chinese contemporary art scene develops and extends its influence to the world.
She will be missed but ready for a new challenge in the art world.