"Four Owls" by Li Fuyuan, Macey & Sons Auctioneers and Valuers Limited, Hong Kong, Rooms 4026 & 4226 THE ASIA CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW KICKS-OFF HONG KONG ART WEEK IN MARCH WITH ITS 10TH EDITION Hong Kong, Monday, January 16th, 2017: The Spring edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show will be the first art fair to open its doors to collectors and art buyers during Hong Kong Art Week, beginning with an invitation-only Langton’s VIP Collectors Preview on Friday evening March 17. General admission begins on Saturday, March 18, including the fun HK Liquor Store Art Night on Saturday night, and continues over the weekend, and on Monday. The Asia Contemporary Art Show will take place from March 17 to 20, 2017, at the conveniently located C onrad Hong Kong and will welcome more than 80 galleries and artists from Asia and the world – from up-and-coming and mid-career artists, to those who have achieved success at auction. Now in its 10th edition, the Show presents two fresh new features, China Perspectives and Artist Projects, which reflect the evolving interests and tastes of both today’s young collectors and those with more eXperience. China Perspectives will present contemporary artworks from new and emerging Chinese artists, while Artist Projects brings solo or joint artist presentations to 25 art spaces spread across two floors. “Our show is about engagement and discovery,” remarked Show Director Mark Saunderson. “When visitors come to our show, they have the unique opportunity to interact with the creators of art themselv es, like in Artist Projects. This standout feature makes the eXperience at the Asia Contemporary Art Show quite different from other art fairs, where typically only galleries are present and not the artists.” "Chicken" by Takehiro Kato, Gallery Seek, Japan, Room 4009 (Left) "Chinese PhoeniX-circle"by Takehiro Kato, Gallery Seek, Japan, Room 4009 (Right) Saunderson continues, “We also aim to provid e a platform that enables art and artists to enter the vibrant Hong Kong art market, like with China Perspectives. Art fairs offer a springboard into the market and we endeavour to present works that appeal to young, tech -savvy collectors, as well as more experienced collectors who appreciate direct interaction with the art. “And the Show is firmly anchored in Hong Kong’s art scene – we are on our 10th successful edition! As part of the city’s “art triangle”, which includes other important art fairs like Art Basel and Art Central, we are certain that the Asia Contemporary Art Show will continue to contribute to the city’s growing and evolving contemporary art scene, the most dynamic in Asia!” A WORLD OF ART The Asia Contemporary Art Show welcomes galleries from around the world showcasing the unique viewpoints and perspectives of some of the contemporary art scene’s best emerging talent and career -established artists from across Asia, Europe and beyond. Fawwaz Sukri, Malaysia Nadine Fine Art, Malaysia – Room 4018 Fawwaz Sukri (b. 1987) draws inspiration from 1960’s romantic comics. Working in a Pop art style, the artist eXamines the genre of the tragicomedy whereby aspects of tragic affairs are presented in comical forms. The collage work in Sukri’s compositions depicts a chain of events pertinent to the main event occurring in the “big picture”. Conceptually, his work addresses deep-set problems within society, particularly as they relate to gender. The approach in conveying a specific narrative allows Sukri to eXpress the compleXity of underlying perceptions of human morals. "Monster" by Fawwaz Sukri, Nadine Fine Art, Malaysia, Room 4018 Pawel Kuczynski, Poland Wellington Gallery, Taiwan – Room 4222 Polish illustrator Pawel Kuczynski (b.1976) uses satire to portray today’s social, political and cultural reality. His cleverly crafted illustrations seem humorous at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they reveal some of the serious issues facing today’s world. Working in coloured pencil and miXed media, Kuczynski’s work revolves around issues of poverty, war, political integrity and wage disparity, prompting the viewer to pause and ponder. His aim is to get you thinking long before the significance of his message is deciph ered. "Cleaning" by Pawel Kuczynski, Wellington Gallery, Taiwan, Room 4222 Simon Maarouf, Syria Two M Art Gallery, UAE – Room 4304 Developing into one of today’s brightest Pop artists, Simon Maarouf (b. 1985) draws much of his subject inspiration from iconic figures of pop culture. Often working in a hyperrealist style, Maarouf’s work is recognised by a dynamic use of contrasting colours and shapes, as well as distinctive faces, subjects and figures. Having grown up in Syria, the history and beauty of the old streets of Damascus were always a fascination. Now a resident in Dubai, Maarouf has found new avenues for eXploration and opportunities for creative growth. "Pink Bubble" by Simon Maarouf, Two M Art Gallery, UAE, Room 4304 CHINA PERSPECTIVES China Perspectives presents a series of works by selected galleries, artists and artist collectives that follow in the tradition of the Chinese contemporary art movement. Within the collection will be examples of works done in the Political Pop and Cynical Realist styles, as well as works that demonstrate the new wave in traditional ink, and others that blend the Western abstract style with Chinese materials and aesthetic. "Gathering of Heroes" by Shen Jingdong, Beijing Central Art Gallery, China, Room 4307 Shen Jingdong, China Beijing Central Art Gallery, China – Room 4307 Recognised for his simple but colourful figures, Shen Jingdong (b.1965) says that his style is “optimism in the pessimism of Chinese contemporary art”. His works have been grouped into the genre of the post -Cold War “New Wave” of anti-Social Realism works. Depicting soldiers, workers and everyday people, including himself, as icons and heroes of Chinese life, the artist renders the common man in bold colours with simple, but defined lines, layered to give a contemporary porcelain look that resonates off the canvas. Zhang Hui, China Ling Art, China – Room 4317 Blending East and West, Zhang Hui (b.1957) draws inspiration from Master Lin Fengmian, considered a pioneer of modern Chinese painting for combining Chinese and Western styles. Taught by his father who studied under Master Lin, Zhang’s unique method of using sinuous lines and bright colours to depict female figures is reminiscent of Japanese Ukiyo-e painting. The artist travelled eXtensively to Japan where he learned traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e techniques and subsequently incorporated them into his female portraits, layering them with eXoticness and sensuality. "Beauty" by Zhang Hui, Ling Art, China, Room 4317 ARTIST PROJECTS Artist Projects brings artists from around the world to exhibit in a solo or joint presentation. This new feature will bring narrative and context to life with the artist as storyteller, chronicling the accounts of what motivates and inspires their work and artistic practice. Sobrane, Australia , Room 4103 Internationally acclaimed wildlife artist, Sobrane, has spent countless hours watching birds, and observing their movements and behaviours. In her lively and energetic compositions, the artist aims to convey the uniqueness and individuality of each animal. Sobrane uses a miX of mediums and eXpressive brushstrokes to create her large -scale works on linen. She creatively transforms pigments of spray paint, inks, enamel, pastels and charcoal into beautifully rendered pieces, conveying the depth and soul of each creature. "Emu" by Sobrane, Australia, Room 4103 Brian Sze, Hong Kong, Room 4119 Managing the ups and downs of life through his alter ego, Mr. baby, artist Brian Sze (b.1977) embarks on adventures through magical worlds visually communicating the importance of virtues and emotions. Mr. baby, a “human rabbit”, is a dichotomous being straddling the adult “real” world and the child “fantasy” world. In his China series, Sze places Mr. baby among scenes replete with Chinese symbolism and Buddhist tales. Engaging with azure dragons, white tigers or pandas, the artist aims to tie together important symbols prevalent in Chinese culture. "The Azure Dragon" by Brian Sze, Hong Kong, Room 4119 The Asia Contemporary Art Show would like to acknowledge and thank arts patrons Macey & Sons Auctioneers and Valuers Limited, Langton’s East Asia, HK Liquor Store, Fiji Water and Venture Studios; as well as hospitality partners Samuel Adams and Leaf Tea Boutique for their support. Exhibitor List Akasha-Rose Emmanuel Australia ANW South Korea Art Alliance USA Art Seoul Gallery South Korea Artists in Taiwan Taiwan Beatrice Prost Australia Beijing Central Art Gallery China BIEN GALLERY South Korea BLINK Gallery Hong Kong Brian Sze Hong Kong CK. ART SPACE South Korea Courdy & Venderbosch Projects Netherlands & USA D3 Art Space South Korea David Hart Galleries Australia Denis Ribas France Deodato Arte Italy Fabrik Gallery Hong Kong Faith Art Gallery Hong Kong Francesca Gnagnarella Italy Prak-Sis Contemporary Art Association USA Galerie GAIA South Korea Galleria Camaya Phillippines Gallery Aile South Korea Gallery Artlink South Korea Gallery Art Plaza South Korea Gallery Artwall South Korea Gallery Baum South Korea Gallery iLHO South Korea Gallery M South Korea Gallery Seek Japan Gallery Suiha Japan Gallery Vanessa Projects South Korea Gao Xiao Yun Gallery China Gao Yi China Giant Year Gallery Hong Kong Gong Pyeong Art Gallery South Korea Gudang Gambar India HAUTE PRESENTS Germany I.T.V. Holz-Art-Gallery Austria iSGO