HONG KONG.- The annual Hong Kong International Art and Antiques Fair (HKIAAF 09) will be held in the prestigious Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3 to 6 October 2009. HKIAAF 09 is now recognized as Asia’s premier art fair presenting a unique combination of Art and Antiques. This will be the 5th fair organized by Art & Antique International Fair Ltd and as usual it will showcase a wide range of collecting categories spanning from antique Himalayan bronzes through to contemporary art. The exhibition space will be specially designed to create a relaxing and stylish ambience, and to highlight the creative synergy between antique and modern, East and West.

HKIAAF 09 will once again coincide with Sotheby’s Autumn Auctions held in the same venue. Early October is the peak art season in Hong Kong, attracting major international dealers, collectors and connoisseurs from around the world to both the auctions and the fair, as well as exciting exhibitions and art events around the city.

Andy Hei, Founder and Director of Art & Antique International Fair, said: “The fair offers a unique opportunity for local and international collectors to meet in the dynamic art hub of Hong Kong, to appreciate and acquire art works of the finest quality and creativity. Despite the global economic downturn, the Asian and Chinese markets have shown an excellent performance, consistently achieving strong results by comparison with Western markets. We believe there is still considerable potential for the growth of the art market here and that Hong Kong and Asia will lead the world in future.”

A select group of leading local and international galleries will participate in this premier art event. They include antique specialists such as Robert Hall (UK), Rossi & Rossi (UK), Kaikodo (USA), Kankodo (Japan), Mehmet Hassan Asian Art (Thailand), M & C Gallery (Hong Kong) and Martin Fung Ltd (Hong Kong), alongside contemporary art galleries such as Alisan Fine Arts (Hong Kong), Sundaram Tagore Gallery (USA, Hong Kong), Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery (Hong Kong), Gallery Miz (Korea) and Grotto Fine Art (Hong Kong).

HKIAAF will feature a wide range of sculpture in both the antiques and contemporary sections. Of note are works by renowned Chinese sculptors Gao Xiao Wu (Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery) and Xu Hongfei (Galerie Ora-Ora). There will also be a special focus on Hong Kong artists, who increasingly are establishing their artistic identity, in both fine art and art jewellery, as represented by renowned artists Kai Yin Lo and Wallace Chan.

An Academic Programme of talks and symposiums led by world-renowned art organizations and international art scholars will be held during the fair, providing an opportunity for discussion on latest developments in the global art scene.