HONG KONG.- Leading the proceedings during Hong Kong’s peak art season is Fine Art Asia 2017, 30 September to 3 October, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Now in its 12th year, Fine Art Asia coincides with the major Hong Kong auctions which take place at the same venue, and is a focal point for a high-profile audience of important dealers, collectors, curators, connoisseurs and art lovers from across the world.

Fine Art Asia has established itself as Asia’s leading fine art fair, and the only one in the region to showcase a wide range of art from Asia and the West. Around 40% of exhibitors travel from beyond Asia to attend (many from New York or London), including specialist dealers in silver, jewellery, antiquities, modern design, Impressionist and modern paintings, watches and clocks. The Fair presents museum-quality art works spanning over 5,000 years of cultural history, from ancient Chinese bronzes to Art Deco jewellery, with a significant strength in antique, modern and contemporary Asian works.

In 2016 Fine Art Asia launched a new section devoted to contemporary photography, and co-presented the Hong Kong Sculpture Biennial: both were received enthusiastically. Over 22,500 visitors attended, with many of the international exhibitors reporting their best fair yet. Lewis Smith of Koopman Rare Art, London said, “The fair produced as always an impressive range of clients interested in learning about and collecting English silver. The buyers are savvy and searching for high quality, interesting objects.”

Amongst new exhibitors in 2017 will be Carlton Rochell Asian Art, New York with classical Indian paintings and Rare by Oulton, Hong Kong with distinctive, unusual and rare European antiques such as fine chess sets and Louis Vuitton luggage. The photography section will be extended due to its success last year.

Fine Art Asia was pioneered in 2006 by Hong Kong-based Andy Hei, a second generation dealer in classical antique Chinese furniture. His aim was to engender a greater appreciation of Western art amongst the rising number of collectors in China, to promote interest and understanding of different artistic traditions, and act as a bridge to Asia for leading Western art galleries. In 2011 Andy Hei was joined by Calvin Hui, who strengthened the contemporary offering at the fair. Between them they have created a vibrant event with a unique combination of art and antiques from around 100 important dealers.

“International exhibitors who join us in Hong Kong, such as Vanderven Oriental Art from The Netherlands, Susan Ollemans from London, Galerie Dumonteil (Paris/Shanghai/New York) and Gladwell & Patterson, from London, who have participated for a number of years, say they have now established a serious client base in Asia through their presence at the fair,” explains Andy Hei. Well-known collectors and trade buyers who attend include Robert Chang, Adrian Cheng, Robert Tsao, Giuseppe Eskenazi, James Lally, Hugh Moss, and Ma Weidu.

Calvin Hui, Co-Chairman and Director, adds: “Fine Art Asia showcases an amazing range of works of art at the highest level. We look forward to continuing to provide an exciting platform for the international art world in Asia”.