HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s announced that it will unveil its newly-constructed state-of-the art gallery space in Hong Kong on 19 May, 2012, with opening exhibitions running through the end of May - an exciting month filled with international cultural events in Hong Kong. Comprising the entire 5th Floor of One Pacific Place – over 15,000 square feet – this facility will allow Sotheby’s to significantly expand its business in Asia beyond its traditional twice-annual series of auctions in April and October. This expansion is a response to the exponential growth in the Asian art market over the past few years, and is testament to Sotheby’s commitment to Asia. This unique, flexible space will be unequalled in Hong Kong, and will afford Sotheby’s the opportunity to regularly host auctions, exhibitions, lectures, special events and other cultural programmes throughout the year, offering a new and exciting dimension to the Sotheby’s experience in Asia. The new gallery will also incorporate a permanent Salon for SOTHEBY’S DIAMONDS, a unique partnership between Sotheby’s and the Steinmetz Diamond Group, allowing clients to purchase from the collection throughout the year. The project architects for this new gallery are Richards Basmajian whose numerous achievements include the recent Hong Kong Club refurbishment, The Maritime Museum and many Louis Vuitton Stores in Hong Kong.

“We conceived of Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery in response to the exponential growth of our business in Asia in recent years which last year reached US$1 billion for the first time,” said Bill Ruprecht, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s. “The expansion of our Hong Kong premises is the first of many developments Sotheby’s is planning in the region, and particularly in China, to respond to the needs of our ever-expanding client base in this exciting market. This transformative space will increase the level of activity and the range of objects we will offer to clients in Asia on a regular basis. The opening of this new gallery establishes Sotheby’s as the premier international auction house in Asia, giving our clients an even higher level of service and a more sophisticated experience on a par with our other major centres in London and New York. “

Patti Wong, Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia and SOTHEBY’S DIAMONDS, continued, “The opening of Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery in this exciting moment when Asia has become one of the most prominent international art hubs is a truly important milestone in Sotheby’s almost forty years of history in Asia. In response to the strong following amongst Asian clients for the SOTHEBY’S DIAMONDS’ collection, we are also delighted to open a permanent SOTHEBY’S DIAMONDS Salon in Hong Kong. We look forward to seeing our clients in this wonderful space, sharing our expertise while discussing their collecting interests.”

Kevin Ching, Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s Asia, enthused, “We are thrilled to curate together with our international team of experts an array of important exhibitions for our inaugural series of exhibitions, showcasing a variety of art to celebrate the opening of our new gallery. In line with the tradition established by Sotheby’s of presenting major selling exhibitions at Sotheby’s worldwide, we shall bring two important selling exhibitions to Asia, namely YAYOI KUSAMA – Hong Kong Blooms in My Mind and Modern Masters: Corot to Monet – French Landscape Painting In The Nineteenth And Twentieth Centuries, offering a great opportunity to acquire museum-quality works by modern and contemporary masters. With these events, together with the previews of Sotheby’s London June Sales of Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary Art, we strive to nurture and cater to the collecting tastes of our clients in the region as we accompany them along their collecting journey.”