HONG KONG.- The highly anticipated seventh edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong closed on Sunday, March 31, 2019, having brought together collectors from over 70 countries and territories, notably from Hong Kong, Mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, resulting in strong sales for galleries from all market sectors. During the five show days, private collectors as well as representatives from over 130 leading international museums and institutions attended the show, including: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; M+, Hong Kong; National Gallery of Zimbabwe; The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Pérez Art Museum Miami; Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai; Royal Academy of Arts, London; Serpentine Galleries, London; Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Tate, London; Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing; and Vancouver Art Gallery. With numerous events taking place throughout the city, the Art Basel week once again directed an international spotlight onto Hong Kong’s ever-more vibrant art scene, including Tai Kwun, the new center for heritage and arts, designed by Herzog & de Meuron.

The 2019 edition featured 242 premier galleries from 35 countries and territories, with 21 galleries participating in the show for the first time – among them nine galleries in the main sector that have been highly influential in defining the art scenes in Europe and the United States, including: Galerie Greta Meert from Belgium; Galerie Bärbel Grässlin and Galerie Max Hetzler from Germany; Luhring Augustine, Matthew Marks Gallery, Paula Cooper Gallery, Regen Projects, and Andrew Kreps Gallery from the United States; and Richard Nagy Ltd. from the United Kingdom.

Eight galleries from Asia joined the fair for the first time, including Watanuki Ltd. / Toki-no-Wasuremono from Tokyo; Beyond Gallery from Taipei; Empty Gallery from Hong Kong; Hunsand Space, Pifo Gallery, and Tabula Rasa Gallery from Beijing; Richard Koh Fine Art with spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Singapore; and Nova Contemporary from Bangkok. The graduation of five galleries from the Asia-Pacific region into the main sector reinforced the fair’s commitment to the strengthening of the region’s art scene. These galleries included Beijing Art Now Gallery from Beijing, Galerie du Monde from Hong Kong, Gow Langsford Gallery from Auckland, ROH Projects from Jakarta, and Tang Contemporary Art with spaces in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. Many observers commented on the outstanding quality of art on display and the ambitious presentations by galleries from the East and the West alike.

Adeline Ooi, Director Asia, Art Basel, commented: 'Art Basel Hong Kong is a truly global platform in Asia for galleries and their artists. The show creates a bridge between Asia and the West, as evident in the impressive line-up of galleries from Europe and the United States. Moreover, I was struck by the focused engagement of our Asian galleries, who through their programs offered compelling insights into the region’s rich histories. With presentations by influential figures from across many local art scenes, this show provides a unique opportunity for many discoveries.’

Galleries who participated in the show spoke highly of their experiences and participation:

'We built new relationships with important institutions in the region, including from Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan and Japan. We also deepened existing ties with institutions that we have been working with for some years and are proud to know that many of the works sold will be remaining in Asia, expanding important collections. New private collectors have approached us, and we are keen to sustain and develop our relationships with them. It has been surprising to see the variety and enthusiasm of Asian collectors. --José Kuri, Co-Founder, kurimanzutto, Mexico City, New York

‘We have been participating in Art Basel Hong Kong since the very first iteration, and we have been so pleased with how the fair has grown and evolved, in terms of the quality and diversity of collectors. This year we placed works by John Armleder, DeWain Valentine, Nathaniel Mary Quinn, Tom Wesselmann, Ha Chong-Hyun, Günther Forg, George Condo, and more, in predominantly Asian collections – with more than 80% of the buyers coming from China – which is particularly important for us, as we have just announced that we will be opening a new space in Shanghai later this year.’ --Almine Rech, Owner, Almine Rech Gallery, Brussels, Paris, London, New York

‘This year’s edition has been among the most successful we have taken part in. It has been bolstered by the presence of our gallery here for over a year: this has helped us to reinforce our relationships with clients and audiences in the region. We received a phenomenal response to the stunning works presented by our featured artist Carol Bove, who has also been with us in Hong Kong. In addition, the Neo Rauch exhibition at our gallery space has proved hugely successful, part of which can be attributed to his earlier appearance as our featured artist at Art Basel in Hong Kong 2015.’ --David Zwirner, Founder, David Zwirner, London, New York, Hong Kong