THE HONG KONG Palace Museum (HKPM) aspires to become one of the world’s leading cultural institutions, committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture. Scheduled to open in July 2022, the museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum. It is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, with a donation of HK$3.5 billion (US$448 million) for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes during the period of 2023−2031.
Embracing new curatorial approaches, the museum will offer the contrast of a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Arts of Asia is proud to collaborate with the HKPM on this special Summer 2022 issue, and I would like to thank all the distinguished authors for their outstanding articles. Incorporating nine galleries and 30,000 square metres of floor space, the HKPM is an extraordinary achievement that will be highly appreciated by Hong Kong residents and visitors alike.
I greatly look forward to having a guided tour of the galleries and exhibitions at the Grand Opening. I am especially keen to see the “Traditional Craft” and “Contemporary Design” showcases in Gallery 5, bringing together nearly 100 objects from the Palace Museum in lively dialogue with Hong Kong contemporary design talents. These objects demonstrate the deep interest in innovation, material and function in design shared by people of the past and today, and how contemporary work draws inspiration from time-honoured traditions. For this exhibition, a special film has been produced featuring four respected “interpreters”—Kai-Yin Lo (representing jewellery and ornaments), Stanley Wong (design), Lo Chi Wing (architecture and living environment) and Koon Wai Bong (painting).
After a two-year absence, Asia Week New York returned with strong attendance and outstanding results in March 2022 (for further information, see the Saleroom News reports in this issue). Dessa Goddard, Asia Week New York chairwoman, commented: “We were delighted by the enthusiastic response we received from our collectors, curators and scholars, who returned to New York for the many exhibitions, auction sales and museum shows. Their excitement and energy were palpable throughout the week, and the results of the sales testify to the continued strength of the Asian art market.”
This is particularly welcome news for the many Asian art fairs and events scheduled for the remainder of this year. Asian Art in London (AAL) celebrates its 25th edition in 2022, welcoming European, American and Asian galleries and collectors back to post-pandemic London. From October 20th−November 5th, a varied and extensive programme of exhibitions and auctions will be presented by AAL’s participants. Moreover, AAL has announced that the Gala Party will return for the first time since the start of the pandemic, to be held at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
This June 25th−30th, TEFAF will open its doors to the 35th edition of the fair at the MECC in Maastricht, celebrating over 7000 years of art, antiques and design. This edition of TEFAF will bring together a total of 242 dealers from twenty countries. Speaking about TEFAF Maastricht, Chairman Hidde van Seggelen stated: “I speak for our whole dealer community when I express how thrilling it is to be returning for the 35th edition of TEFAF Maastricht. The wealth of history and expertise presented by our exhibitors has always been extraordinary and this year will be no exception.”
This year there will be approximately fifteen Asian art dealers at TEFAF, including Amir Mohtashemi (UK), Ben Janssens Oriental Art (UK), Galerie Jacques Barrère (France), Jorge Welsh Works of Art (Portugal and UK), Rossi & Rossi (Hong Kong), Runjeet Singh (UK), Tenzing Asian Art (USA) and Vanderven Oriental Art (Netherlands). I am delighted to illustrate some of their highlights in this Editorial.
I would like to remind our international readers that Marchant will hold its first contemporary art exhibition in almost 100 years of business. Entitled “Kawase Shinobu—Master of Celadon, A Retrospective”, the show runs in London from June 20th−July 15th, 2022. This is the first exhibition for the artist in Europe and also the first time outside Japan that a major retrospective of his work has been created.
I would also like to draw your attention to a major Asian art exhibition being held by the Nantucket Historical Association in the Whaling Museum, McCausland Gallery of Nantucket, Massachusetts. “Asian Treasures from the Billings Collection” will run from the Memorial Day weekend until November 1st. The exhibition draws from the collection assembled over fifty years by long-time Nantucket residents, David Billings and Beverly Hall Billings. Among the many objects that will captivate visitors is a pair of exquisite gold finials inlaid with rare kingfisher feathers, a selection of Chinese snuff bottles, tea ceremony objects and a jade burial suit.
It is also my pleasure to include a photo of Po Lau, the Chinese artist, who has been developing his Surrealistic Expressionist Chinese landscape painting style since the 1970s. Po Lau’s online show will go on display at www.artron.net and his forthcoming website, www.liuqiugu.artron.net, from July 1st, 2022.
Finally, I would like to wish all readers an enjoyable and relaxing summer, as the pandemic hopefully continues to
recede.
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