This month, 100 of the world’s most celebrated galleries will congregate at Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre to showcase their finest masterpieces at Fine Art Asia. Organised by the Art & Antique International Fair Ltd, this annual showcase continues to draw collectors, curators, major dealers, connoisseurs and art lovers from all over the globe to Hong Kong’s shores.
Now in its 10th edition, this year’s event will showcase a wide range of museum-quality artworks spanning over 5,000 years of cultural history, ranging from ancient Chinese and Western antiques to Old Master, Impressionist and Modern art. Highlights that one can look forward to include incredible masterpieces by Monet, Pissarro, Sisley, Rodin and Picasso; as well as the unique and inspiring collections which were lovingly curated by some of the city’s finest art galleries.
FINE ANTIQUES
ANDY HEI Limited, G/F, 84 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Stepping inside Andy Hei Limited feels almost like being transported into a long forgotten ancient civilisation. Located in Hong Kong’s traditional antiques quarter, this fine art and Chinese antique furniture gallery was set up in 1999 by Andy Hei, who also happens to be the Co-Chairman and Director of Fine Art Asia, the region’s leading international fine art fair. A professional dealer with years of experience in the appraisal and conservation of classical Chinese furniture, Hei’s passion for the industry was nurtured by his unique upbringing as a member of the prominent HL Hei family, which has dealt in huanghuali and zitan furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties for over half a century. He continues to dedicate his life towards educating others on the importance of preserving China’s greatest treasures.
ROSSI & ROSSI, Yally Industrial Building, Unit 3C, 6 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang
Housed within a nondescript building located in a gritty industrial neighbourhood on the south side of Hong Kong Island is a hidden treasure known simply as Rossi & Rossi – one of the world’s most renowned dealers in classical and contemporary Asian art. Manning this serene space is Fabio Rossi, the son of Anna Maria Rossi, who founded the gallery back in London in 1985.
The Hong Kong offshoot was launched in early 2013. For the last three decades, the gallery has dedicated itself to acquiring some of the finest ancient and antique art works from the Himalayan region. Never one to rest on its laurels, the gallery has also spent the past decade conducting numerous exhibitions for various Asian contemporary artists, some of whom hailed from as far as Tibet. The gallery’s impressive list of clientele includes some of the world’s most renowned museums: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford; the Tokyo National Museum; the Louvre Abu Dhabi; and the Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.
ANTIQUE SILVER, FINE JEWELLERY AND TIMEPIECES
KAI-YIN LO, 3D, Block 2, 55 Garden Road, Central
As a designer of ceramic, jewellery and objets d’art, Kai-Yin Lo’s innate ability to create one-of-a-kind pieces that combine the cultural heritages of East and West has helped to propel the semi-precious stone market to new heights. Most of her contemporary creations, which are based on traditional Chinese designs, have been sold by major retail giants including Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue. Kai-Yin’s passion for her craft has not only earned her a legion of dedicated clientele, but also numerous prestigious awards, two of which were the World’s Leading Chinese Designer award by the Hong Kong Design Centre in 2007, and the Silver Bauhinia Star by the Government of Hong Kong for her contributions to design.
DEHRES LIMITED, 3501 Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark, Central
As a family-owned business that has thrived for three generations, the House of Dehres continues to dedicate itself to the art of creating the world’s finest and most exquisite jewellery. Its office in Hong Kong was first established in 1971 by its Managing Director, Ephraim Zion. Since then, this jewellery house has grown to become one of the world’s largest suppliers of large gems, many of which are used to bring to life its superlative creations. Behind each design is also an inspiring story that combines influences from nature and classic jewellery design principles to create captivating treasures that cater to those with an appreciation of the finer things in life.
CONTEMPORARY ARTÂ
GALERIE ORA-ORA, G/F, 7 Shin Hing Street, Central
When speaking with Henrietta Tsui-Leung, the passionate owner of Galerie Ora-Ora, it would be hard to guess that she comes from a banking background. Well read on the history of Asian art, its theories and philosophy, Henrietta’s elegant gallery showcases an interesting mix of intriguing sculptures and contemporary ink paintings. Besides curating state-of-the-art exhibitions in both Hong Kong and Beijing on a bi-monthly basis, the gallery is also active in seeking out new and emerging talents. Since its founding, Ora-Ora has managed nearly 40 veteran artists from around the world including those from Barcelona, London, New Mexico, Sydney, Manila, Singapore, Korea, Japan and China. Henrietta also happens to be the founder and co-president of the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association, a member-based non-profit organisation of established local art galleries that dedicates itself to promoting best practices and disseminating knowledge.
CHINESE INK PAINTINGS
LUCIE CHANG FINE ARTS, 50A, Tung Street, Sheung Wan
As a scion of one of Hong Kong’s most established families of Chinese antique art dealers, Lucie Chang’s foray into the art industry was but a natural progression. From an early age, she was already exposed to all things about fine art, and gradually found herself drawn towards more contemporary artworks. Shortly after graduation, Lucie decided to commit herself to discovering artists who specialise in using traditional techniques to highlight current issues, many of which can be found proudly displayed within the space of her minimalistic gallery. Located within a trendy residential area in Upper Sheung Wan, the gallery is set to be relocated to a new site to entice curious passers-by to immerse themselves in art. The gallery also offers services such as professional art consultation, art trading and exhibition planning.
ALISAN FINE ARTS, 2305 Hing Wai Centre, 7 Tin Wan Praya Road, Aberdeen
Established in the 1980s by Alice King, who was instrumental in bringing in the works of French sculptor Bernar Venet to The Shanghai Museum, Alisan Fine Arts was one the pioneers to introduce contemporary Chinese art and new ink art to the art-hungry masses in Hong Kong. Since its inception, the gallery has organised over 100 exhibitions in Hong Kong and abroad. Among its noteworthy milestones includes being one of the first to organise a solo exhibition highlighting the works of the acclaimed abstract painter and émigré, Zao Wou-ki. Over the last three decades, the gallery has worked with hundreds of renowned artists, while also promoting the works of established Hong Kong and Chinese artists residing abroad. In 1997, Alice’s daughter, Daphne, decided to join the family business while also serving as Co-Chairlady of The Hong Kong Ballet Guild.
DESIGN & DECORATIVE ART
88 GALLERY, 5 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan
Located within Hong Kong’s bustling art hub, this newly-opened Parisian gallery celebrates the spirit of haute couture, interior design, and precious art objects. Showcased within the space is an exceptional collection of 20th century limited edition decorative pieces ranging from furniture and lighting to sculpture and paintings. As for the crème de la crème of the entire collection, it would have to be the exquisite meubles bijoux (jewellery furniture), designed by Hong Kong’s very own Kam Tin, a studio founded by Chinese businessman Yin Zing Luk, whose family sought refuge in the village of Kam Tin during the Japanese invasion of China. At the time, the family fortune had been tucked away in special turquoise-encrusted jewellery box for safekeeping, which proved to be a turning point for the young Yin Zing. Upon returning home, he developed a particular love of semi-precious stones, which spurred him to create the magnificent furniture pieces made from brass and decorated with cabochons or polished stones.
