Last week I returned from a long awaited visit to Asia. I started in Beijing, the heart of the Chinese art world and the home of many of China’s leading contemporary artists and dealers. I met many of my colleagues whom represent the whole spectrum of the local art industry: artists, dealers, collectors, private consultants and auction executives. I visited galleries like Star Gallery, Platform China, Shanghart, White space, 0110001 and many others to get a sense of current trends and the state of the market.
As ever before, the market’s health is not very clear or easy to understand. Due to the very volatile and rapid development of China’s economy and society in recent years, the contemporary art scene in the mainland is struggling to find a balance. Collectors, buyers and dealers are very cautious and sometimes act nervously, trying to find the right path forward. They spread their interests and targets in different directions whilst trying to hit or create a new trend. Their focus varies from Contemporary painting to classic painting, from Chinese contemporary ink to modern abstract. Their search extends well beyond the mainland, from South East Asian contemporary art to Japanese avant-garde from the 1960’s. Continue reading